Steps After F1 OPT

[f1trip 0]

Hi all,

I came to the US on a F1 visa and graduated last year with a BA, then applied for a job on OPT which I'm doing now. My EAD expires in January, after which I will have until March to change status or leave the States. However, I would like to stay here since I already have a job, etc instead of returning home where I'll have to basically start my live all over again in an economy that is doing very badly, ie. few to little jobs available. Also, the place that I'm working would prefer to keep me as they have a fairly high turn-over (it's a social services organization that deals with kids with mental & behavioral issues in both school and residential settings) and I am more resilient to dealing with the clients. But the job that I have - and for which they're always low in staff - only requires a high school diploma, so I'm not eligible for a H1-B visa.

Are there any viable options available to me so I can continue working? I don't really consider marrying a citizen an option, unless the right person came along, and it's probably too late considering process times, etc anyway.

[Boiler 46,057]

Start looking for the right person or an employer who can sponsor you.

[f1trip 0]

As I said, my employer would sponsor me, but they can't. Not for a H1-B. They've encouraged me to apply for any jobs that'd make me eligible, but none has cropped up. I guess a EB-3 would be better, but that can take years.

[Boiler 46,057]

Then we have one option.

[jan22 3,064]

Hi all,

I came to the US on a F1 visa and graduated last year with a BA, then applied for a job on OPT which I'm doing now. My EAD expires in January, after which I will have until March to change status or leave the States. However, I would like to stay here since I already have a job, etc instead of returning home where I'll have to basically start my live all over again in an economy that is doing very badly, ie. few to little jobs available. Also, the place that I'm working would prefer to keep me as they have a fairly high turn-over (it's a social services organization that deals with kids with mental & behavioral issues in both school and residential settings) and I am more resilient to dealing with the clients. But the job that I have - and for which they're always low in staff - only requires a high school diploma, so I'm not eligible for a H1-B visa

Are there any viable options available to me so I can continue working? I don't really consider marrying a citizen an option, unless the right person came along, and it's probably too late considering process times, etc anyway.

The viable option is to do what you said you were going to do during your student visa interview --- after completing your studies, which can include OPT, you go home. Sounds harsh, but it's what you said you would do. Student visas aren't meant to be a pathway to permanence in the US.

[MarinaMaya 3]

IT will take years on EB3 but you will be in legal status and you could always upgrade it later.

[Boiler 46,057]

IT will take years on EB3 but you will be in legal status and you could always upgrade it later.

To what?