OPT Student Visa

[irish lad 0]

I am an Irish citizen and have graduated with a degree here in USA. I am currently on OPT and expires Summer 09.

What are my options to stay in USA? I have the possibility of studying towards a Masters and get classes paid because of my athletic ability, If I get classes paid do I need to be a full-time student (masters) and if so how many credits/ classes I need to take? Also if I was to find a job and work is there a minimum amount of $ I have to earn to stay and get sponsored?

Any help would be great. Thank You.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Yes, you may apply for a Masters program. Your student visa requirements will be assigned to you by the university (as each generally have different requirements depending on the program you are enrolled in). As for gaining a scholarship, that is also based on the university. Some universities will pay just for your education, others will pay for room and board. To retain your status in the US you will need to be a full time student. The courses required is dependent upon the University. So you will need to direct all of these questions to the Unversity international admissions officer once you have been accepted into a program.

As for work, you are NOT able to work off campus while on an F-1 visa and you are not permitted to hold 2 vaild visas (for example work and student) in the United States.

I also completed an F-1 and OPT and looked into Masters programs. So I understand your confusion. Good luck.

[VSfansfans 2]

Hi there,

We were at the same situation before. Ok, you still have time to right now! Your OPT card will expire on Summer 2009, if you want to legally stay in the US after that, you should look for Master program now, and start applying before the school deadline. Some master programs require to register before Feb or April, so check on it (My friend wants to apply for the Jan 2009 but now is too late, so she is going home before the program start on Sept 2009). Also, check if you need to take any public exam before applying, that takes time to study and get the score to apply school. Since you are in F-1, you still need to stay full-time, no matter you are in bachelor or master level. As for how many credits you need to take, check your school to see how many is considered as full-time (mine was 9 credits for Master, and 12 credits for Bachelor). You can only become part-time (take less credits) in your last semester, which means you are graduating. Then you can apply for OPT again, since you are in Master level, you can apply it again!

Sorry, as for work, you cannot legally work outside campus, but you can find part-time on campus though. So that is not too bad. You can only work full-time outside if you are in OPT or you can apply H1B Visa through your workplace when you are on your OPT. If you are lucky, and your workplace like you, they can sponsor you and help you apply. My other friend did that, her company paid for her $1000 H1B visa (work permit) applications and she got it (valid for 3 years).

So, try to think further ahead if you really like US and do not want to do anything illegal in order to stay.

My suggestion is to make good use of your OPT now, find a place to work now till Summer 2009, go back to school full-time, work part time on campus (if you have a SSN). Then apply for OPT again when you are graduating, apply for another job/or if can work at your old place (it would be great). Then half year later, talk to your workplace and see if they can sponsor you. I think they do not have to pay for the application, you can pay too, just ask them to file for you and you pay (THIS PART I'M NOT TOO SURE IF YOU CAN DO THIS WAY). Well, anyway, at least you can stay for 2-3 more years if you plan like this.

I am an Irish citizen and have graduated with a degree here in USA. I am currently on OPT and expires Summer 09.

What are my options to stay in USA? I have the possibility of studying towards a Masters and get classes paid because of my athletic ability, If I get classes paid do I need to be a full-time student (masters) and if so how many credits/ classes I need to take? Also if I was to find a job and work is there a minimum amount of $ I have to earn to stay and get sponsored?

Any help would be great. Thank You.

[EstebanTrabajos 7]

Yeap,

Pretty much they gave your the rundown,

finish your OPT now, go back to the regular F-1 without OPT status w/Masters, after getting your Masters Degree re-apply for a 2nd OPT and before it expires talk to your employeer to see if you can get sponsored.

Of course if you would like to re-enroll for a PhD, that also can be possible and you can apply for a 3rd OPT at the end