CPT

CPT (Curricular Practical Training) is work authorization given to students to gain practical experience in their field of study as an inegral part of their education.

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 details

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?

 

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FAQ Transcript
  1. Sure, you can go back to your home country. No, you do not have to go through the lottery again.
  2. H-4 and F-1 CPT visas would be options.
  3. You actually just need a copy of your H-1B approval.
  4. If an employer wants to conclude an H-1B, they have to do three things: First, they have to inform the employee that their job is terminated. Second, they have to offer the employee a one-way ticket back to their home country. Third, they have to put it down in writing and request that the H-1B be revoked because they have to write to the USCIS.

STEM extension expiring, options to stay in USA, Is Day 1 CPT safe and legal?

Question details

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?
 

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FAQ Transcript

It is legal and so far it has been safe. You know that the rule for Day 1 CPT requires that when you join, you are associating with a graduate program otherwise you cannot get a Day 1 CPT. The Curricular Practical Training is an integral part of your degree. You cannot finish the degree without the practical training. The other thing is the employer signs the cooperative agreement with the university. The only additional suggestion I have is if you are going to do Curricular Practical Training make it as an adjunct to your profession.

For more information please check my blog.
https://immigration.com/blogs/curricular-practical-training-cpt
 

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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Recording of October 27, 2022, Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv

Immigration Law

FAQ: What happens to H-1B after Green Card approval? || OPT eligibility requirements, F-1 status for one academic year, and Change of Status or visa stamping from back to H-4 || PERM issues for a green card for remote jobs - headquarters || Can an H-1B visa holder rent via Airbnb? Is this a violation of status? || How long does it take from PERM to Green Card, and difference between NIW and PERM Labor Certification? || Applying for E-2 Visa with a pending family-based Green Card; who can be the main applicant for an E-2 visa? ||

H-1B approved, must I continue my CPT degree or may I drop?

Question details

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

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.

FAQ Transcript

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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Dropping education to work

Question details

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

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.

FAQ Transcript

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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Success in responding to an H-1B RFE questioning the beneficiary’s Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

We assisted a client company, who develops its own software products and provides related consulting services in filing an H-1B petition to employ a software developer. An RFE was issued requesting additional information regarding the employer, and additional documentation to show that the beneficiary was engaged in a valid curricular practical training (CPT) and was maintaining a full course study in a master’s degree program at a U.S. university at the time of filing.

Immigration Law

Day 1 CPT F1 - Renewal

Question details

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 ?

You can try. 214(b) denials are difficult to overcome and highly unpredictable.

FAQ Transcript

Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, 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.