question for suzanne OPT I-20

Proverbs 16:3 · May 30, 2008

your status on your i-20 changes to whats for your opt which means that when the opt ends, you have 60days. Why not work now with your current OPT and then when you're done, do your rn-bsn thingamajig and get another OPT?

suzanne4, RN · May 30, 2008

Again, as I responded to your other question:

Most on-line programs are not considered full-time studies as most are working full-time and completing the degree part-time. This is where you will run into trouble with immigration.

Your OPT is considered training already, and to add in another program while you are on it makes no sense to me. It is still student status, I would focus on getting the best experience that you can while you are working this year and then worry about the BSN as you are going to have plenty of time to get it completed. It is not going to change your timing or wait for the green card.

You would be better off waiting until you finish the OPT.

In the future, please just make another post to the thread that you have already started on the same topic and not start another one with questions that are essentially on the same topic. Makes it confusing for me as well as others here.

Again, unless you are going to leave the US, the same I-20 will remain valid as long as you are enrolled full-time in a nursing program and the OPT is under that, and you do not need to get another one. Only if you leave the country, will you actually need to get a new one when this one expires.

coolvibesRN · May 31, 2008

i just don't understand this... please give me your advise? I now have OPT which is valid till May 2009, my I-20 from the school i graduated this May is valid till June 2009. I'm planning to take onlin rn-bsn class. if my new school accepts me and issues a new i-20 will i still be able to use OPT? after i get my BSN which will be sometime in AUgust 2009... will i be able to apply for aanother OPT? thank you so much for your time.

You can get OPT with each level of degree as you graduate .But if you take an online program you won't be able to get it or a new 1-20.This is because you are allowed to only take 1 online class as an international student.Once your opt is completed you have 60 days to go back to school and get a new 1-20 reissued.The best thing will be to just use you OPT,get some experience and once it expires enroll in the RN-BSN program that issues an 1-20,that way when you get your BSN, you can apply for another OPT.

2008el · May 31, 2008

...so this means that i can't take online classes while on OPT? once i'm done with OPT is it possible for me to find school that can issue me a new i-20? i can't go back to my school where i did my ADN since they don't have BSN program. my other question is can i enroll in rn-bsn course( which is not online) while doing my opt and issue me new i-20(while i'm still doing my opt)? thank you again.

Again, as I responded to your other question:
Most on-line programs are not considered full-time studies as most are working full-time and completing the degree part-time. This is where you will run into trouble with immigration.
Your OPT is considered training already, and to add in another program while you are on it makes no sense to me. It is still student status, I would focus on getting the best experience that you can while you are working this year and then worry about the BSN as you are going to have plenty of time to get it completed. It is not going to change your timing or wait for the green card.
You would be better off waiting until you finish the OPT.
In the future, please just make another post to the thread that you have already started on the same topic and not start another one with questions that are essentially on the same topic. Makes it confusing for me as well as others here.
Again, unless you are going to leave the US, the same I-20 will remain valid as long as you are enrolled full-time in a nursing program and the OPT is under that, and you do not need to get another one. Only if you leave the country, will you actually need to get a new one when this one expires.

helloworld · May 31, 2008

...so this means that i can't take online classes while on OPT? once i'm done with OPT is it possible for me to find school that can issue me a new i-20? i can't go back to my school where i did my ADN since they don't have BSN program. my other question is can i enroll in rn-bsn course( which is not online) while doing my opt and issue me new i-20(while i'm still doing my opt)? thank you again.

Yes you can, but why would you do that? Remember that as an International student you have to be a full time student. Which means that you would have to quit your OPT job. Once you're in school you're not allowed to work, so it doesn't make sense to waste your first OPT. What's the rush? There are no visas, so take your time. Get the work experience because a lot of RN-BSN programs will give you course credit for the work experience. And it will look good on your resume that you have one year experience. Also will be time to make money and save up for going back to school. Then when OPT is over, go back to school and do RN-BSN. You should start applying to programs but my advise is the same as everyone here, finish your OPT and then go back to school.

suzanne4, RN · May 31, 2008

You can get OPT with each level of degree as you graduate .But if you take an online program you won't be able to get it or a new 1-20.This is because you are allowed to only take 1 online class as an international student.Once your opt is completed you have 60 days to go back to school and get a new 1-20 reissued.The best thing will be to just use you OPT,get some experience and once it expires enroll in the RN-BSN program that issues an 1-20,that way when you get your BSN, you can apply for another OPT.

Actually as long as one stays current in a program, and they remain in the US, there is no reason to obtain another I-20 as the I-94 in the passport remains current until they complete their training. The 60 day window is correct for the end of the training but as long as one continues as a full-time student then there is no issue with having to obtain a new I-20.

This is in the requirements of the US State Dept which handles visas and the I-20 rulings. One must also continue with full-time studies to maintain the student status.

kenmartins · Jun 2, 2008

You cannot be attending another school and be working on OPT. If you do get another I-20 from a different school other than the one you graduate from before your OPT expires, ur OPT is authomatically cancelled and you cannot work with it anymore. If you keep working, it will be considered working illegally.

2008el · Jun 3, 2008

My friend from west Africa is now RN here in USA. she is under OPT. i know she works full time and go to school full time at the same time doing her BSN from the school she got her ADN. she wants to know if that would be a problem for her with imigration and i advised her yes it could be... did i gave a wrong advise?

kenmartins · Jun 3, 2008

My friend from west Africa is now RN here in USA. she is under OPT. i know she works full time and go to school full time at the same time doing her BSN from the school she got her ADN. she wants to know if that would be a problem for her with imigration and i advised her yes it could be... did i gave a wrong advise?

yes, she cannot be on OPT and be going to school full time. Part time is allowed thou.

suzanne4, RN · Jun 3, 2008

Yes, it is a problem for immigration and could cause her issues. They are going to be examining each and every one of her pay stubs, they all have to be submitted when she is applying for the AOS and they are not going to like what they see.

The OPT permits full-time work, when courses are done, but not anything more that is full-time with it as it is expected to be full-time training.

mysticlad · Mar 6, 2010

Susan I am also an international student. I have a few questions.

1. I know that international students can engage in concurrent enrollment without transferring their sevis record to the other school they are enrolled in. Can i then complete the rn-bsn online program whilst i am on opt without transferiing my sevis record to the rn-bsn school?

I was thinking i colud do this because international student cannot take online classes anyway so this wont affect my opt status. pls let me know if i am wrong.