OPT is about to be over and going back to graduate school

[happyhati]

hi suzanne4 and everyone!

i would like to know if i'm doing the best things and i would like to know if there is anything i can do for now about gc.

i graduated from bsn program in usa in july 2007 and started working in sept 2007 with opt at the hospital of the university which i graduated from. i have ss#, opt which will be expired in sept 24th, 2008, visa screen certidicate and my hospital is willing to petition me. however, the immigration coordinator told me that there is nothing i can do for now since retrogression. she even said i cannot file any paperwork for now until "the door open".

so, i decided to go to graduate school of my university and keep working with cpt visa. i will start my msn program from this fall semester.

am i doing what i can do for now?please give me some advice!

thank you

[suzanne4, RN]

There is no CPT visa, you will be retaining your F-1 status; just as you are doing now with the OPT.

But do be aware that you are not going to be able to continue work full-time as you are doing now as the OPT will have expired and you do not qualify for the CPT immediately when you start your next degree.

What you are going to do is just fine, but wanted you to be aware of this. Many do not expect it and think that they are going to be able to work immediately, but that is not the case.

For one, when are you starting the graduate program? You cannot be attending that and also be working with the OPT. So either, you are going to stop the OPT to be able to begin school in September; or you will be completing the OPT and then starting in January. But once the OPT is over, then you may not work until you meet the requirements for the CPT, just as you would have had to do with the BSN if you used that.

[Proverbs 16:3]

cpt isn't a visa and it only allows 20/week. i'm think one can work f/T during times when school is out of session. Don't ask me, talk to your int'l student advisor.

Also know that they just brought out this new "rule" recently where if you have OPT and don't have a job, they'll start counting your 60 days. Schools are now required to have the employer information for all students on OPT. I'm sure you know they're now required to have the employer info...just wasn't sure if you knew they start counting the days if you go unemployed on OPT.

Best wishes.

[happyhati]

OK.

Thank you very much!