Hello all,
Please comment and help me out on my OPT (F-1) and I485 dilemma.
I am currently an F-1 student and will receive my Ph.D in months. My I140 (NIW) was approved in June 2003 and I have not filed my I485 or OPT yet. Since the long waiting time of I485 process, to be safe, I want to maintain an additional legal status other than I485 pending (AOS). Here are my questions:
1. I think I should file OPT before I485/EAD, am I right? Or the order of OPT and I485/EAD does not matter? Is there any negative impact of I-485/EAD filing on OPT application?
2. I heard that once I file I485/EAD, I am going to loose my F-1 status and thus OPT, is that right? If this is true, I won't bother to file OPT and just use EAD to work.
3. Is it legal to get paid as an TA/RA after I file I485 and before receiving OPT and/or EAD.
4. Can I still file H1B during AOS ?
Thanks for any input!
Please comment and help me out on my OPT (F-1) and I485 dilemma.
I am currently an F-1 student and will receive my Ph.D in months. My I140 (NIW) was approved in June 2003 and I have not filed my I485 or OPT yet. Since the long waiting time of I485 process, to be safe, I want to maintain an additional legal status other than I485 pending (AOS). Here are my questions:
1. I think I should file OPT before I485/EAD, am I right? Or the order of OPT and I485/EAD does not matter? Is there any negative impact of I-485/EAD filing on OPT application?
2. I heard that once I file I485/EAD, I am going to loose my F-1 status and thus OPT, is that right? If this is true, I won't bother to file OPT and just use EAD to work.
3. Is it legal to get paid as an TA/RA after I file I485 and before receiving OPT and/or EAD.
4. Can I still file H1B during AOS ?
Thanks for any input!
Last edited by a moderator: