Video URL
CPT FAQs
Monday, May 27, 2024 - 05:29
B-2 visa dilemma: Extend or switch to CPT for PERM/I-140
Question
I am currently on a B2 status and waiting for PERM approval. I have extended my B2 once, and I still think I would need another six months until my perm and I140 get approved. I need your suggestion in making a decision:
Should I move to day 1 CPT OR extend my B2 for another six months?
Which one will be the best option so I don’t get any RFEs from USCIS in the future?
I have another question: My parents and brother have their B2 visa interview scheduled for May 31st. If they ask my parents about me, is it a good idea to mention my situation in the interview?
Thursday, July 20, 2023 - 00:02
Transfer an approved H-1B selected in the lottery to a new employer before October 1st
Question
I am in the F1 OPT period and I worked with Amazon from August 2022 to May 2023. My H1B got picked in the lottery this year, and got it approved in June 2023. Currently, I’m in my 90-day period of unemployment, and would possibly get a new job with another employer before it ends.
I don’t want to lose my H1B this year. Is there any way that I can transfer my approved H1B to the new employer?
Answer
Wednesday, July 19, 2023 - 23:59
Legal options and factors for a future stay in the USA; not selected in H-1B lottery, Master's Degree, and passport renewal
Question
Currently, I am holding a STEM OPT from May 2022 until May 2024 (2 years).
My employer had applied for H1B this year and last year but had no luck.
Question and suggestion, please:
1) What are my legal options?
1.1 Apply for H1b next year in March and wait for the result, In case H1b is picked, how do I process it as my STEM opt expires in May 2024?
2) Enroll in university for the Master's degree?
2.1 I have a few classes remaining for my master's as I have finished my bachelor's degree in the USA and I take Day One CPT? Once a master's degree is complete, reapply for OPT and STEM OPT.
2.2 Should I continue to apply for H1B in the meantime?
3) If I apply for Master and Day One CPT, do I need to enroll for May–August 2024 (the summer class) or can I enroll for Fall 2024?
Note: STEM OPT Expires: May 15, 2024, or please suggest any other better option to stay in the USA.
Lastly, my passport expires in May 2024 as well. Is there any problem there?
- I'm thinking of starting the process for the renewal online. Should I do it now or wait for some time?
Answer
Monday, May 8, 2023 - 00:21
Options for extending stay in the U.S. after layoff as an international student pursuing a Master's in IT
Question
I moved to the USA to pursue my Master's in IT. Unfortunately, I have recently been affected by mass layoffs in the tech industry, leaving me with only 30 days to extend my stay in the country to address household responsibilities and potentially secure a full-time job.
I have researched a few options for extending my stay and would greatly appreciate your guidance on these alternatives:
1) Apply for a B2 visa promptly: This option would allow me to remain in the country for an additional six months (until July or August) and continue my job search.
2) Enroll in a community college and obtain an I-20: Many community colleges do not require GRE or TOEFL scores, and their Fall semester usually begins in mid-August. This cost-effective choice would give me time until December, and I could transfer any earned credits to a university if needed.
3) If more time is required, I could join a university in the Spring semester and transfer my community college credits. However, I understand that applying for an MS or PhD program would necessitate a direct application to the university.
Answer
Thursday, March 9, 2023 - 03:30
H-4 visa dependent children change of status to F-1 before 21
Question
My daughter was born in Canada and is on my H-1 visa as an H-4 dependent. She is currently studying 2nd year of her Bachelor's degree and will turn 21 in July/2024. I have a couple of questions, and they are
1. By what date/age she needs to change her status from H-4 to F-1?
2. Once on F-1 status, are there a minimum number of months/semesters/years she has to complete before being eligible for a CPT or OPT?
Answer
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 - 20:16
H-1B layoff options - Going to home country and applying for jobs, going through the lottery again and documents required to apply for a new visa to explain missing pay stubs
Question
I am on an H-1B visa and recently got laid off.
If I don't find a job within the 60 days grace period:
1. Can I go back to my home country and keep applying for jobs and then come back once I get one? If yes, would I have to go through the lottery again?
2. If not, what are my options?
3. What additional documents do I need to provide while applying for my new visa to explain the missing pay stubs?
4. What does the company that let me go send to the USCIS as documentation for termination of contract?
Answer
Thursday, November 3, 2022 - 05:06
STEM extension expiring, options to stay in USA, Is Day 1 CPT safe and legal?
Question
I am currently on STEM Extension and my visa expires in July 2023. I also have a masters degree here in the states. I wanted to know what my options are..
If the suggestion is Day-1 CPT, I wanted to know how safe/legit it is! I have heard that going on Day-1 CPT can cause some issues when your H1 gets picked and may lead to RFE?
Answer
Friday, September 9, 2022 - 11:26
H-1B approved, must I continue my CPT degree or may I drop?
Question
Hello Sir, I was on CPT for a year and a half before my H1b visa was approved last year. After that, I took a break from my studies. Now, I want to visit India, do I need to resume my degree? I'm planning to drop it as it is too expensive. Will there be any issue in stamping as it would be my first H1b stamp. Thanks
Answer
From a purely legal perspective, there is no law that requires you to continue with your degree if you have received your H1B approval. However, I am concerned about appearances also. Ideally, people should take up a new educational program only if they are serious about it and that program furthers their career. If you quit, you should have a good, truthful explanation for why you started that degree and why you quit. You may never be called upon to explain yourself, but the USCIS and the consulates could potentially ask about any relevant matter when you appear for an interview.
Friday, June 24, 2022 - 12:05
Dropping education to work
Question
Hello Sir, Thank you for everything you do. I am planning to enroll in a Day 1 CPT MBA program and was wondering if dropping the course midway will affect my chances of getting a future H1-B or L1-A to green card process? Also, do you know any way that we can vet a university before joining the program? Thank you, Jaidev
Answer
As long as you act in good faith (honest intentions), dropping a program of study should not be an issue. Also, you can continue going to school part-time or even full-time if you like while you perform your job on an H-1B or L-1A.
Wednesday, October 13, 2021 - 10:39
Day 1 CPT F1 - Renewal
Question
My wife is on Day-1 CPT and went for F1 renewal , without asking much question she got 214B denial. So there is an option to re-apply, do you think we should apply again and produce document which shows she got tie ups in home country ?
Answer
You can try. 214(b) denials are difficult to overcome and highly unpredictable.
Friday, March 12, 2021 - 10:05
Will Duration of CPT Violate Status and Impact H-1B?
Question
I am pursuing my PhD from a well established accredited university in the USA for over 5 years. My PhD is likely to get over by Feb/March 2021. My PhD has a provision of doing day 1 CPT and I have been on CPT since my first semester ( Fall 2015) to date. My CPT is related to my area of PhD. My DSO has been regularly, updating every semester and endorsing my I-20 with my CPT details.
My questions are as follows:
1. Am I violating my status by doing this CPT?
2. Will this CPT for such a prolonged period impact my chances for an H-1B visa?
Answer
Answer 1. In my opinion, you are not violating your status. The USCIS interpretation of CPT is flawed. In my opinion, CPT should be available as long as the course requires. That is true even if the CPT goes on for several years.
Answer 2. In the worst-case scenario, if the government continues in their illegal interpretation of the CPT rules, they can make you go outside the United States for H-1B visa stamping. I do not see how the consulate can deny a visa on the grounds of using CPT. You have done everything by the book.
Thursday, April 25, 2019 - 01:35
Multiple Years of CPT
Question
My employer has filed my h1 and asked for a change of status with H1 filing and got an RFE(As i am filing from CPT-F1 to H1) relating to
--Maintenance of Status<br>
--CPT Related<br>
--Multiple years of CPT at the same Education level<br>
The lawyer is asking me to change from Change of status to Consular Processing and go to India and stamped and come back.
Answer
Watch the Video on this FAQ: Multiple years of CPT
Video Transcript
All in all I think changing to a consular processing is one of the ways you can go. It also depends upon how aggressive you want to be. But if you want to be more conservative, go ahead and change to consular processing. More...
Note: This is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.
Thursday, March 28, 2019 - 06:09
CPT, OPT, Unlawful Presence
Question
As I have used my CPT for more than 1 year at the same master level and already completed OPT for the 1st master and currently working on CPT for almost 2 years. As per Aug 8th, 2018 Memorandum Am I violating the rules and will start counting Unlawful presence from FEB 5th 2019? Or Unlawful Presence should be count from 6 months from FEB 5th 2019 which is AUG 5th 2019? If this is true then what are my options here?
Answer
Video Transcript
What I tell my clients is if you have already done it and you are okay with a three year bar potentiality with it again another potentiality for 212 (d) (3) waiver, which should be given in cases like this where they let you take a nonimmigrant visa even though you have a three year bar. More...
Note: This is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.
Tuesday, December 4, 2018 - 03:18
The New Restriction on 12 Months of CPT OPT Combined – – Consequences of H-1B Denial on OPT
Question
I am currently on F1 visa and working on CPT. My H1 petition was picked in the lottery this year and status changed to RFE 2 weeks ago. I wanted to know if August 9 unlawful presence rule applies in my case i.e; if I get a response for RFE after Feb 4 2019, that completes 180 days.
Answer
The new restriction on 12 months of CPT OPT combined – –
consequences of H-1B denial on OPT
Video Transcript
In my view you are still on OPT and to activate your H-1 you have to either refile for change of status or go outside the USA for visa stamping. More...
Note: This is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.
Thursday, May 3, 2018 - 13:09
H-1B and Green Card Transfer From a Non-Profit Organization to For-Profit
Question
I am currently working for a Non-profit org on a cap-exempt H-1B. and my company initiated my GC processing. Below are the few questions:<br>
1. Is the GC processing any different thru a non-profit from a for-profit organization? meaning, is it any advantageous to process my GC thru a non-profit?<br>
2. Can my I-140 from a non-profit be transferred to a for-profit org, if I was able to move to a for-profit org?<br>
3. What are the possible ways that I could move to work for a for -profit organizations? From your previous calls and thru my research I found out below few ways that I could to that. Please give your inputs<br>
a. Finding a profit employer to file my cap-subject H1 (Can I start working for my new employer as soon as my H1b is picked in the lottery or approved, instead of waiting till Oct 1st?)<br>
b. If a new employer sponsor my cap-subject H1 and if I dont move to the new employer, will my current cap-exempt H1 be still active and should I have to go under the cap next time I file a Cap-subject H1<br>
c.applying for concurrent H1b<br>
d. Moving on to H4EAD and filing a H1b next April<br>
e.Joining a Masters CPT college and filing a Cap-subject H-1B next year
Answer
Video Transcript
1. The answer is No. There is no advantage in going through for-profit or non-profit that's just irrelevant.
2. No, non-profit or for-profit does not matter you cannot transfer I-140s, you can transfer priority dates unless your 1-140 is based upon a National Interest Waiver or an EB-1A. Your green card can be transferred once your I-140 is approved and I-485 has been pending 180 days, then it doesn't matter what the nature of the organisation is.
3. a. I don't think there is any specific law on this issue. Technically, you can start working for them on receipt, but obviously you will only get a receipt if your case is picked up for the lottery. So if you have been maintaining H-1B status I believe you can start working for a cap subject employer as soon as your H-1 is picked up.
b. Absolutely. My guess would be if your H-1B cap subject H-1B is approved and it is not revoked till October 1st, I don't think you will be subject to a cap to work for a for-profit in the future. It shouldn't be revoked before October 1st and you should receive your change of employer. So in other words, you should get a new I-94 with the case because USCIS has been taking this position that just getting an H-1B approval does not put you over the top where you are safe from cap quota issues. They say unless you receive a change of status or go get a visa stamping till that time you are not exempt from the quota so you must also receive an I-94 which is a transfer of employer, but you can still continue working with the old employer.
c. Another way is applying for concurrent H-1B although it is a strange provision in the law where if you have a quota exempt H-1B as long as you maintain that without worrying about the quota you can also work on a concurrent H-1B for a quota employer.
d. Moving to H-4 EAD is not a good idea because in June they are going to announce the revocation of the H-4 EAD regulations according to the court.
e. Joining a Master's CPT and filing a cap yes, that's definitely an option.
Note: This is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.