How to obtain opt before graduationg

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I am a nursing student who will be graduating dec, 2017. I will be finishing with BSN.

I have F-1 visa and do not have SSN. I have been in America for 10 years and still do not have green card and have F-1

I heard from my counselor that I have to apply for OPT towards the end before graduating in order to stay in America.

However my question is, does hospitals hire nursing student who does not have their certificate yet? if not, how does some people obtain OPT?

Because even after graduation, I have to take my NCLEX, wait for the result and apply for jobs. And I know that we only get 60 days after graduation time for all this.

So for those who are international student who obtain F-1 visa, how did you get OPT?

Because even if I try applying to work as CNA, I need social security number to take exam.

So please, help.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

You need to apply for OPT before you graduate. It will only allow you to stay and work up to 12 months and then you have to find a way to stay. If looking for green card then a lot will depend on place of birth and to be honest we are not hearing of many successful in find employer both for OPT, due to cost of training and for green card as demand isn't high.

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yes, but to apply for OPT, don't you have to find a job? like find a place where they will hire you?

and will they hire me even before I graduate? can I apply for any job places unrelated to nursing.

Sorry but it just doesn't make sense to me. How do people obtain OPT when they don't even have certificate or graduated? how can they work there. Also, I am from South Korea if it helps.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

No you do not need a job to apply for OPT and your international student office should know this. You do however have a time limit from graduating to activate it otherwise you have to become a student again. At the moment if you was on OPT and you find employer to go EB3 route it is current so you could adjust your status. Who knows what it will be like when you graduate

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