OPT and AOS

suzanne4, RN · Apr 30, 2006

OPT pemits you to work for up to one year once you finish your program, provided that you have not used it in the past for another degree in the US.

AOS is Adjustment of Status, and that is what you go thru if you are on a tourist visa or a student visa, and are going for a green card.

The OPT has nothing to do with the green card, only grants temporary working permit.

berger · Apr 30, 2006

OPT pemits you to work for up to one year once you finish your program, provided that you have not used it in the past for another degree in the US.
AOS is Adjustment of Status, and that is what you go thru if you are on a tourist visa or a student visa, and are going for a green card.
The OPT has nothing to do with the green card, only grants temporary working permit.

So my status will be OPT for 1 year after graduation and this will switch to AOS once I find an employer willing to sponsor me?

suzanne4, RN · Apr 30, 2006

First, it doesn't switch. AOS is not a status, it is an in between point. You file for that, in addition to what ever else you are filing for. It is just a step.

You do not wait the year to get the AOS filed, you do it as soon as you can, and have an employer that will sponsor you. The gola is to get the green card in hand before the year is up.

berger · May 1, 2006

First, it doesn't switch. AOS is not a status, it is an in between point. You file for that, in addition to what ever else you are filing for. It is just a step.
You do not wait the year to get the AOS filed, you do it as soon as you can, and have an employer that will sponsor you. The gola is to get the green card in hand before the year is up.

Thank you suzanne!