Should I apply for OPT?

[Winonan 3]

I am graduating this May (F1 Visa). But I'm getting married to a US citizen in 2 weeks. After that I will most likely apply for AOS within the month of marriage after I get my medical done (probably gonna cost a lot since I don't have any prior medical records). Am I to understand that once I apply for AOS (and after USCIS receives it), that invalidates my F1 visa? Do I really need to apply for OPT since I'm going to apply for AOS sooner or later?

[besaangel 18]

I am in the same situation... probably shouldnt file for OPT, as, if you file form I-765 with I-485 and I-130, it'd be free and would get EAD in a few weeks... dont waste money on $340 now when in a month or two it'll be free lol. Personally, I would go get medical/physical done asap, some civil surgeons charge base price for bloodwork, vaccination, physical and to fil out paperwork... Intend to do mine tomorrow ($330) although I dont intend on filing until March.

Do it and get it out of the way...

[Val Marty 1]

Lol I was in the same situation and I didn't file for OPT thinking that my EAD will arrive fast. I am somewhat sorry (not that much thou) I didn't because the only job opportunity I had, I couldn't take and now I am applying and applying and no response from anybody. So if you think that your husband can support you while waiting you probably shouldn't apply, since it is additional $340 - the main reason I didn't do it.

edit: Oh yea and my medical was about $550...did it before hand too. And since you will have filed before you graduate, you will probably have your EAD and should not have a problem finding a job. Good luck!

Edited February 23, 2010 by Val Marty

[EmVee 4]

I am in the same situation... probably shouldnt file for OPT, as, if you file form I-765 with I-485 and I-130, it'd be free and would get EAD in a few weeks... dont waste money on $340 now when in a month or two it'll be free lol. Personally, I would go get medical/physical done asap, some civil surgeons charge base price for bloodwork, vaccination, physical and to fil out paperwork... Intend to do mine tomorrow ($330) although I dont intend on filing until March.

Do it and get it out of the way...

I would strongly second this.

When I went to get my medical done, my doctor in Ireland had lost my vaccination records so I had to get them all done over. But the clinic wouldn't do everything on the same day, so I had to get some of it and go away again, then try to schedule another appt (nightmare!) and get another shot, and then schedule ANOTHER appt for the final shot. All in all it took over a month just to get that part done, and it was very stressful as it left me a few weeks out of status.

So do everything you can as soon as possible, because it's never too early.

[Winonan 3]

Lol I was in the same situation and I didn't file for OPT thinking that my EAD will arrive fast. I am somewhat sorry (not that much thou) I didn't because the only job opportunity I had, I couldn't take and now I am applying and applying and no response from anybody. So if you think that your husband can support you while waiting you probably shouldn't apply, since it is additional $340 - the main reason I didn't do it.

edit: Oh yea and my medical was about $550...did it before hand too. And since you will have filed before you graduate, you will probably have your EAD and should not have a problem finding a job. Good luck!

Lol I'm actually a dude. I'm getting married march 12. I will get my medical done on March 8 ($168). My college has my vaccination record for MMR and Tetanus. Hopefully I won't have to get the others since I already got it and don't have the record. I'm actually getting my TB skin test done on campus and the CS said I could just show the result and wouldn't have to do it there. Hopefully I won't have to spend too much on vaccination.

[Val Marty 1]

Lol I'm actually a dude. I'm getting married march 12. I will get my medical done on March 8 ($168). My college has my vaccination record for MMR and Tetanus. Hopefully I won't have to get the others since I already got it and don't have the record. I'm actually getting my TB skin test done on campus and the CS said I could just show the result and wouldn't have to do it there. Hopefully I won't have to spend too much on vaccination.

I wish I had done that. I though that the civil surgeon was the one who has to do everything from scratch. Oh well... I had everything done in two days, 3 shots each time. I fainted the first time lol. Btw sorry for getting your gender wrong