Urgent! H1B and OPT issue, Please Help

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fab2000

Registered Users (C)
Sorry for reposting this but I really need help!

I am currently a student (F1), I recently got an offer, my H1 would be filed in April. Can I apply for OPT after the H1 has been filed?? I will be graduating in May

My start date is June so I would need the OPT to cover the period between June to Oct. Please can someone reply to my question :(
 
I would advise you to apply for OPT first, so you are covered when you need to start your job. Check with your International student Affairs office at your school to see how long it will take to process the paperwork. As you know being on F1 you have only 12 months OPT. In the mean time you can start your H1B process and when that is approved you just change your status, hopefully before the end of your 12 months. This way you almost get an additional year added to your working time,since OPT=1 year +H1B=3+3=7years.
5 +years ago my husband was in the same position. Not on F1 but J1. Took the job offer, took the OPT (18 months) and started working and then company filed the H1B. You might not like the company once you start working. You won't know that until you work there. Then you're kind of stuck with them and have to now look for a transfer. A lot harder. Good luck
 
Thanks for the reply!
I will have to wait a few weeks to file for OPT.. I'm planning to do it ASAP, I hope it works out. There's a big chance tht my H1 would be filed before I can file the OPT... but the H1 would come in October only, so I hope its still ok to file OPT after the H1 is filed in april
 
If you file OPT after H1 filing, CIS considers you will not have status on Oct 1, therefore, they may issue H1 approval without I94. You need to go out and get stamp before starting working on H1 in that case.
 
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