Advise on F1 student for applying OPT?

Hi

I need your guidance, i came to US on J1 visa and completed my internship for 18 months. I started my college doing AAS in Hotel Mgmt as part time for one fall semester (6 Credit) during my internship. I finally got my visa extended on F1 (Int Std). I am enrolled full time and by end of this year i would be with approximately with 30 Credits (by end of Dec 09).

I had an impression that after one year, i can apply for OPT and work. Mean time i had planned to work 20 hrs on campus. But due to budget i only have 6 hrs per week. And i am been told that i can apply OPT only once i graduate. Pls advise.

I am told that i can do CPT but that would be if i get permission than i can apply for 6 credit (480 hrs) which will last for only 3 months. And i read something if i want to apply OPT than i should not do CPT. I am very confused.

I am financially stranded, i m self sponsored. Pls based on my scenario advise me what options i can get to work so i can complete my AAS.

khairun_aziz

You got the wrong information my friend. You can apply OPT after 1 academic year, which you have. Please refer to www.uscis.gov . People always get confused about OPT, I was confused once too. Then, I got to know that we can apply OPT before graduation. You are allowed only 1 year on OPT.

You can also do CPT if your school permits. You can only do 20 hours during normal semesters and 40 hours during summer. You have to make sure you don't exceed 12 months on CPT in order to enable you to use OPT.

Hope that helps.

ibu guru

Students are required to prove they have sufficient financial resources to pay all of their school expenses, plus all of their living expenses, plus their transportation back to their own country upon completion or termination of studies. There is no campur work or financial aid for you. There are no jobs -- the real unemployment rate in the US was 18% as of the end of January and is still rising. And student visa holders are forbidden to work.

How did you get J-1, then get a foreign student visa for an associates degree in hotel mgmt anyway? How come you didn't go home for a minimum of 2 years (normal J-1 requirement) after your J-1 anyway? This is so screwy that one can only suspect that you are playing games with the system to do an end-run around the immigration system. Play fast & loose with the system and you can spend years in prison for immigration fraud, then be deported and permanently barred. You really had better go home before you get yourself into serious trouble.

missi-key

hello! guys really need your advice, may be someone knows better. so, my situation is - i came to the usa this summer as j1 i changed my status for f1 but in the english school (like esl) not even college, so i want to transfer to college but they wont let me go, they say i have to stay there for 6 months. i would really want to get the real visa or transfer to j1. do you know how i can do this and if it is possible at all? and one more quiestion is there any way i can change my status to real visa within usa? i really want to go back home to visit my family. thank you for help, really appreciate your advice.

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