J1 Visa and OPT

[onion500]

Hello,

I have applied for my J1 visa in march of this year. However my OPT expires in may of this year. According to the immigration website, it says it will take 100 to 150 days. I am working. Do you think I can stay in the US till I get my J1 visa or should I leave after my OPT card expires in May? I dont know how long it will take for them to proceess the J1 visa. I also don't know if I can work till I get my J1 or will I have to stop working once the OPT card expires?

Please help me.

thanks. sulekha

 

[wifeofIDMD]

My husband applied for J1 waiver almost 3 years ago. His fellowship ended in June 30th. He started applying several months before that and was accepted in Nevada Conrad 20 program, but then was offered a job in Iowa with significantly higher salary. Thus our lawyers had to reprocess for iowa which took even more time because a new draft had to be drawn up explaining the situation.

Anyway....he was granted the visa waiver on November 3 and started his new job November 5th. During the 4 months between fellowship and becoming an attending, he stayed in the US. at that time we were not married.

As long as your lawyers are working on processing the paperwork and it's in the interim of being approved, you should be fine I would imagine.