Is H1B my best option? Any other options?

[cess 0]

Well, if you want to remain here beyond OPT, then consider the options people are giving you here: get married to yr gf (American I guess?), go back to school (PhD program-this way you even have better chances upon completion). You can't extend OPT-not an option. I came here on F-1 student visa for master's, completed, worked for 1 year (OPT), before it expired I had been admitted in a PhD program (I wanted to do, not because of papers), completed my PhD May 2011, got a job with a university, university sposored my H1-B (didn't pay a dime except gas to go to the regional office for biometrics appointment), got my EAD/Parole card mid last month, waiting for interview for my green card. So just use the proper channels and all will be good-if not you risk deportation down the road. Good luck!!!!!!

[rangers_texas 2]

so yer discounting one of the options listed there.

OK.. got it ..

I'm not discounting anything, I'm asking my best option.

Well, if you want to remain here beyond OPT, then consider the options people are giving you here: get married to yr gf (American I guess?), go back to school (PhD program-this way you even have better chances upon completion). You can't extend OPT-not an option. I came here on F-1 student visa for master's, completed, worked for 1 year (OPT), before it expired I had been admitted in a PhD program (I wanted to do, not because of papers), completed my PhD May 2011, got a job with a university, university sposored my H1-B (didn't pay a dime except gas to go to the regional office for biometrics appointment), got my EAD/Parole card mid last month, waiting for interview for my green card. So just use the proper channels and all will be good-if not you risk deportation down the road. Good luck!!!!!!

On what grounds are you getting your green card?

[Boiler 45,673]

Only you can decide the best option, you have all the facts of your situation.

[Morningmist 76]

You will have to get your employer to sponsor your H1. If they are unwilling get another job with an employer that will. You can only extend your OPT to another 2 years if your employer applies for H1 and you don't get it in the lottery.

[Morningmist 76]

Sorry the extension is only for the STEM fields.

http://www.isso.cornell.edu/immigration/f1/OPTfaq.pdf