Got the short stick from the H1B lottery.

[johnny1985 0]

Hello guys,

I am a foreigner and a recent US college graduate. I got a job and my employer sponsored me for an H1B. "Do not worry" they said. "We have always gotten it in the past. We have sponsored around 20 people". Little did they know that the quota will be gone like never before. So I guess that subsequently they had a lottery and I did not get chosen.

My employer told me this week that the law firm they deal with is not optimistic about me. They did not get a "No", but they haven't gotten a "Yes" either and they said they usually get a "Yes" by the end of April. Obviously, the time frame might be a bit different this year, because of the excess of candidates, but stil... it has been quite a while now. As far as I know, my paperwork is alright and they have filed on the 1st of April.

So my first question is - do you think I sould still have a lingering hope I might get that H1B.

Also, if I do not get it - what do I do? I have been thinking about going for a masters degree, but most deadlines are in March. I have found a few schools that have late deadlines, but it is pretty expensive, so I am afraid it will be difficult to make it work. Marriage is not really an option. And I do not qualify for an OPT extension. Any suggestions? Or should I start packing those suitcases!

Thanks.

[SBB 74]

Find a master's program that would fund you?

[Boiler 45,558]

Agree with above.

[Morningmist 76]

I was in the 2007 lottery and I found out about the fact my application got accepted in the middle of may. Give it until the end of the month. It's a lottery, trying to do the "math" is useless. Prepare for the worse and hope for the best. That's what I did.

Also are you in the STEM field? If your employer has everfiy you will be eligible to extend your OPT for another 17 months since you failed to qualify for an H1 this year despite applying for it on time. That is however ONLY if you are a STEM graduate. A lot of my friends who didn't qualify for the H1b in 2008 (they were engineers) got 17 month extension. This lets you get 2 more tries at the lottery. Many of my MBA friends had to leave however since the 17 month extension didn't apply to them.

[Morningmist 76]

Sorry I didn't read about the fact you don't qualify for the extension part. Masters might be the only option.

[Harsh_77 718]

Master or Home thats the only two choice.