23 Jan 2020

I am on OPT, and my current employer is going to submit an H1B registration for me in March. If I travel outside the U.S. while the registration is pending, will that be an issue?

Answer International travel would have no impact on a pending (or selected) H1B registration. Travel would only potentially be an issue if the registration is selected and the H1B petition is filed requesting a change of status. (23.Jan.2020)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that...

26 Dec 2019

I am finishing a J-1 program and am subject to the home residency requirement. Prior to beginning the J-1, I lived in India. Once I am done with the program, however, I will be moving to live in Australia. If I live in Australia for two years, will that satisfy the home residency requirement?

Answer Generally speaking, a person is required to live in the previous country of residency – in your case, India. Living in Australia normally would not meet this requirement. (26.Dec.2019)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE...

31 Oct 2019

My STEM OPT was approved through July 2021. My H1B was selected in this year’s lottery, but it was just denied. Can I keep working based on my STEM OPT?

Answer Normally, an H1B change-of-status denial would have no impact on one's current status or eligibility to continue working in STEM OPT. (30.Oct.2019)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here.Access more FAQs here. Copyright...

24 Oct 2019

I had about 20 months left of STEM OPT time remaining, when my H1B change of status was approved. Is it possible to go back to my STEM OPT, use the remaining time, and then return to H1B status?

Answer Once a person has started working pursuant to STEM OPT and then changes to H1B status, any remaining STEM OPT time generally is abandoned. (23.Oct.2019)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here.Access...

19 Sep 2019

I recently completed my master’s degree, and have been on OPT for two months. Due to a family emergency, I need to go back to my home country for at least six months. If I return in F-1 status and complete a second master’s degree, can I then use my remaining OPT time, and then apply for a STEM OPT extension?

Answer Generally speaking, if an individual uses any period of OPT following the completion of a master's degree, that person is not eligible for any OPT following the completion of a second master's degree. (19.Sep.2019)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law....

21 Aug 2019

I am currently in F-2 status, and am applying for a change to F-1 status. If the change-of-status application is denied, will my F-2 status be revoked?

Answer Ordinarily, if an application to change status is denied, this would not impact one's existing F-2 status. (21.Aug.2019)In frequent sessions of our Chat, Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law in real time. For details on chat participation, click here.Access...

24 Jun 2019

I am currently in F-1 status, and we just received an RFE on my H1B petition, which was selected in this year’s lottery. Can I convert my pending H1B case to consular processing?

Answer In general, a petitioner may withdraw a request for "change of status" while replying to an RFE, and request approval only for consular notification (i.e., consular processing). (24.Jun.2019)In frequent sessions of our Chat, Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law...