Laid off: Process for COS to F-1

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busterboy

Registered Users (C)
Hello everyone who knows more than me. I really need some help and quick pointers. I was notified by my company that I will be laid off as of 3/31. I would like to apply to a graduate business school starting this fall (I have US degree).

Can I apply to school, get I-20, and apply for COS while staying in the US despite my H-1 will be terminated on 3/31? What are some of the things that I should be aware of?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated because I am really in the dark here. Thanks in advance.


busterboy
 
You can always apply to the business prorgam. But the I-20 from the school may not come in time, as the program only starts in Fall. To apply for COS to F1, you need the I-20.
 
Is it OK if I stay here for a few weeks or months while waiting for the I-20? Actually my severance and vacation paychecks will probably continue into May.
 
My wife changed her status from H4- to F-1. She went to scholl on H4 for a year and then she decided to change her status. INS has sent us 3 RFEs since Septemeber 02, when she first applied. It may not happen to you but be aware that she was asked:

- Proof that she will return back to her country after she completes her degree.
- Course schedule (i guess they asked for this coz she was already registered and was taking classes for a year, may not happen to you)
- Actual course descriptions
- Original I-20 school copy. I don't think we are supposed to send school copy, but for reason they wanted that.

But on the other hand I know a case of a person, who first came on tourist visa and got her F-1 in 40 days.

Its all luck Man
 
yeah, it's all luck. I hope these clowns realize that it's people's lives they're playing with.

So back to my main concern, would there be any problem after my lay-off in April for me to stay in the US while applying for COS to F-1 to go to school in August?
 
My previous response was based on your question what material you will need to apply for F1.

Answer to you other questions - Will there be any problem after you are laid off - is obvious. Yes there can be a problem. Your severnce paychek will end in May. So that means you are out of status then. But the thing is how would INS know. INS would know when your company reports your lay off to them. Your main aim should be to avoid being out of status.

So I think you should work towards two things.
1. Try that your company reports your layoff to INS as late as possible.
2. Try to get you I-20 ASAP. I think getting and I-20 in June is normal, if I am not wrong. I don't see any reason why you can't get your I-20 in May if you apply by March.

I came to US as a student and I if I remember correctly I had my I-20 in my hand in I-20 by mid June. So that means it was mailed in first wk here. So ask you university get I-20 ASAP.
 
hrtomd - please advice

what documents u had to send for h4 to f1 transfer? i am in the same boat. your help is appreciated.

thanks
 
Just refer to my first reply in this thread for the answer.

If you need more details then write back. Thanks
 
hrtomd, Thanks. What are the financial documents you need had sent? Seems you got no RFE for financial. Thanks.
 
Sorry I forgot to mention about financial support. Here are all the items that they asked for in rfe (not using the exact language to make it fast)

1. Submitt eveidence to establish that u have residence abroad to which u intend to return. (If not in English then should be translated and certified by translator)

2. Legible photocopy of personal data pages of passport, visa on which u last entered th US, latest admission stamp on PP

3. Original copy of I-20 A-B from school, for some reason they wanted School copy also

4. Evidence that you paid school tution. (Receipt or cancelled check or money order etc)

5. Original course descriptions and schedule of each class that you are taking

Last 4 bank statments from checking/saving that was used to establish that u have sufficient funds to support ur studies (NO BANK LETTERS ONLY STATEMENTS)

Hope this helps.
 
Thanks. Wondering, didn't you submit any financial documents while applying? If yes, why did you get so many RFE's? Just curious, thought you might have done some analysis.
 
Yes I did. But just one month statement. They asked for 4 month statements later on.

By the way the list that mentioned previously was the 1st RFE. The later two rfes were related to I-20.

In the first RFE we could figure out why they had asked for I-20 again when we had submitted it at the time of application, so my attorney thought it ineptness of INS and we shouldn't worry about it.

In 2nd RFE they asked for Original signed I-20. We sent them the original signed student copy, becaus its the student copy that the student submits to get visa

In 3rd rfe they asked for original School copy of I-20, which was strange because school copy remains with the school and I don't know why they asked for.

Its our bad luck that we got so many rfes :)
 
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