Hi,

I have to graduate ( Master) by January coz my I-20 expires after January. I want to continue phd but they dont accept in summer. what is the best way to maintain status? Can I have OPT and then apply for phD. is the OPT and F1 status same?

suggestions Highly appreciated

Yes, If you must graduate in January, then immediately apply for OPT. Work during Spring and Summer and start college in Fall. You will have no status problem.

THANKS
IS THERE ANY BETTER OPTION? DO I NEED TO GO TO NEPAL TO GET THE VISA AGAIN IF I JOIN AFTER OPT?

Hi
I really donot understand your problem. You will graduate on Jan, then will be on OPT
for one year then go to again school for PHD.You can start you PHD either from Aug. or
or Jan . You can of course apply for OPT and PHD.But once the I-20 for PHD is issued your OPT will not be valid for work.

If you graduate in Jan then you can live here for 1 more year. Its a OPT period but there is no compulsion of work. You have to get I 20 with in a year after graduatation.

Thanks .

My mentor said he wants to extend the I-20 till I get the new one . Is that a good idea?

Spearhead! I am sure you must have tried extending your I-20. But if you have not, you could try communinicating with your school authority.
Good luck.

I have not done anything yet. and my mentor does not have ideas about immigration laws. they assured me they gonna look for some options.

thanks for your suggestions

I suggest you apply for an extension of your I20. It is a very easy process with no hassles and does not take any time to get it done. Your International Office at your college/Uni should be able to do it in no time. that way, you dont have to rush to finish your masters, and have more time to think whether you want to go for PhD and also look for a better university to do your PhD.

Hey I just got my H1 approval receipt and I'm flying off around the world for about 3 mths...do i need to get to get any other leagal docs or somthing fromthe office////my layer is P.I.B. if yo know what I mean....hALP needed..please advice

can anyone please post some good agencies that will help you get jobs in business area....

You are completely safe for one year from the date of graduation if you have OPT in hand. Look at the possibility of getting job. If you can work for one year after graduation, then you should try to get into a Ph.D. program in Spring 2008. Or you can go to school early in Fall 2007 (you forfeit the benefits of OPT after you enroll in school. I think just getting I-20 in May to start your course in August doesn't stop you from working until the end of July.

If your mentor is willing to extend your assistantship (I assume you have one being in graduate program) along with your I-20 extension, then this will be a good option for you. You can continue working on your thesis and submit a couple of papers to journals for publication. That will make you more competitive as a Ph.D. applicant. However, if your mentor is extending your I-20 just for the shake of keeping you in status and you will have to finance yourself, better apply for OPT right now. Time is running out for you (OPT approval generally takes 3 months).

Another option is you can join classes in Kaplan or olin..for english or stuff..or even community colleges...to keep your I-20 intact///

Hushpuppy, I wouldn't recommend getting I-20 from another institute as long as spearhead has option to spend one year on OPT. OPT gives him work authorization whereever he lives in those 12 months after graduation. However, gettign I-20 from Kaplan will only allow him to stay legally, not to work off-campus. Even on campus, only 20 hours are allowed.

Thanks Harris and other guys for good suggestions...

my mentor pays me for the assistanceship... I believe I dont need to join community college or kaplan. Only thing is my mentor does not know the immigration laws. I have chances to go to better universities but I am worried that if I move, It may take 5 more years to do PhD which I dont like to do.....
Now I can clarify the situation. He even dont know the OPT .

Thanks guys

harris,
can you please update on the new OPT law? i have been out of touch so much.

is it 1 yr OPT per degree or 1 yr OPT per life time?

this thing keeps changing.

thanks in advance

hey thapap
I just met the immigration counceling in my college and asked abt your question. you can get as many as OPT in life but you have to upgrade your degree. like if you do masters, you have one year OPT and if you go for phd after OPT in masters, you will get 1 more year OPT after PhD. but if you get OPT for masters and after you change your major to masters then in that case you dont get OPT ( in same level, it is one in life time)

I guess it will help you

spearhead,
perfect (O:
that's what i was looking for (O:
thank you very much. u r a sweetheart.

Thapap,

I was looking for this information before I give an update. Obviously what Spearhead's advisor is right. You can't have second time OPT by graduating two degrees at the same level. However, one OPT after each degree (B.S./ M.S. / Ph.D.) is allowed within the US.

Once my one of my friend brought this point that you can get another OPT if you have the following condition:
1. Graduated with a M.S. in 2001
2. Went back to Nepal after a one year OPT in 2002.
3. Applied for another M.S. in 2004.
4. Graduated second M.S. in 2006
5. Now can enjoy 2nd OPT after graduation.

The following source also mentions this point. However, I don't know how verifiable it is.
http://www.istudentcity.com/immigration/imm_permission_optional.asp

The exception rule is given as:

Post-completion optional practical training is a one-time option. If you take one year of practical training after completing your degree, you cannot obtain another period of practical training upon completing another degree.
There are two exceptions: First, if you spend at least one year outside the U.S., and then return with F-1 status. Second, if you change from F-1 to another status, spend at least a year in the other status, and then change back to F-1 status.