Needed urgent help !!

[p_navlakha]

Hello, i have a couple of issues that need to be cleared,
am currently working on my Optional Practical Training(OPT) with expires on 07/16/04, want to continue my education as i have not procured an H-1B visa

1) if i go ahead, apply and get admission to the college will i have to quit my current job before my OPT gets over or can i work till the date stated on the card above. {not sure if my visa status changes or not}

2) My student visa is expiring this August, when i do get my new I-20 do i have to leave the country at least once to get my visa stamped, to maintain my legal status or can i continue staying in the country.

 

[talkative]

I think you can work till expiry of your OPT. So, if your new I-20 starts before expiry of your OPT, I think you will have continuously been in F-1 status.

Your visa stamp can expire. As long as your I-94 says "Admitted F-1/DS". (the DS is important = Duration of Status), it says you're in status as long as you're maintaining F-1 status (ie, full time student or OPT).

I'm not a lawyer. Just once-upon-a-time F-1 student who is now working on H-1..