I Need Help!

Silverdragon102, BSN · Dec 6, 2008

Moved to the International forum

Have you applied for OPT? The issues you have now are retrogression and training in the US doesn't make it any easier. You can find a employer but all they can do is submit your I140 which doesn't allow you to stay and work. Only alternative to stay in the US is to stay in school. Retrogression has been ongoing since Oct 2006 and depending on place of birth looking at anything from dates being currently processed from 2001 to 2005 so a very long wait. May have to consider returning home or another country

suzanne4, RN · Dec 7, 2008

Be very aware that if you have not applied for the OPT already, you may find yourself having issues to remain here. You are currently under a student visa, and that only gives you 60 days to remain in the US once studies are completed. The OPT gives you the extra year, but if you are already done with your classwork, it is going to be too late to apply for it also with the fact that it is taking about 5 months to receive it as well.

I would recommend doing some reading on this site about what is actually happening right now.

rosel84 · Dec 7, 2008

Hye Thank you both for your speedy response to my query!

I am afraid I will need to ask some more question? but 1st let me go a little in depth with my situation!

I transfer to the US from an international university & was suppose to do two semester but did a little extra work & it now seems as if I have earned myself enough credits for guaranteed completion at the end of this semester. No one told me about this OPT for that you are now telling me about so hence I did not apply.

Please give me some advice on the further steps that I should take, seen that I have earned enough credits for completion of study.

Will my F-1 be canceled or will I still have the additional months on it inorder to get enough time to put in a request for the OPT?

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Dec 7, 2008

Is there any way you could become a Super Senior and stay one more semester? Then you could apply for the OPT, but that will only give you one year, so you are only delaying returning home.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Dec 7, 2008

Hye Thank you both for your speedy response to my query!
I am afraid I will need to ask some more question? but 1st let me go a little in depth with my situation!
I transfer to the US from an international university & was suppose to do two semester but did a little extra work & it now seems as if I have earned myself enough credits for guaranteed completion at the end of this semester. No one told me about this OPT for that you are now telling me about so hence I did not apply.
Please give me some advice on the further steps that I should take, seen that I have earned enough credits for completion of study.
Will my F-1 be canceled or will I still have the additional months on it inorder to get enough time to put in a request for the OPT?

I doubt if 2 semesters will qualify for OPT and it needs to be applied for before you finish your training. Even if you get OPT there is no way at the moment that you can adjust your visa and stay, even after OPT you will be affected by retrogression. Only way to stay is maintain your F1 and stay in full time education

suzanne4, RN · Dec 7, 2008

Are you actually attending school here for nursing? One does not normally come to the US for the last two semesters and then get a degree from the program here. Most programs will not accept a student in the last year, there are too many other courses that need to be made up.

Problem is that the OPT must be applied for before one actually finishes their final semester, seriously doubt if you qualify for it or your international advisor would have told you about it.

As long as you remain a full-time student, then the F-1 stays active. But be aware that just by attending school in the US does not automatically qualify one for the OPT as a start. Next is the fact that once the OPT would be done, if you can get it, then there is no way that you are going to be able to remain here and work. It is also quite hard to get hired with the OPT as well since all employers know that they will not be able to keep you working once it expires since it is never renewed.

Check with your international advisor, suspect that the training that you are doing here does not qualify you for the OPT. Where is your degree going to come from and what type of degree? If you are in a program other than nursing now, then the OPT as a nurse would not even apply for you. The OPT is to do additional training in the area where you attended school here.