Hello fellow sajhaians

 

As many others, I have few questions regarding this H1B process. I already have a masters degree from a US university and currently enrolled in another masters degree in united states. I have not used up my opt at all. Now I got a job offer from a company which is ready to sponsor for my H1 visa. My questions are:

First should i use my opt for one year or should i ask my employer to sponsor my h1 from this year. I am kind of confused. I am graduating in june and I have to start working from july. So If i get my Opt in july, then next year I wont be able to work for 3 months and leave united states? However some ppl are suggesting that I should use OPt because it wont cut into six years of H1 visa period.

Second, can I use the degree from my previous masters program to apply for the H1 Visa? Do i need anything from my current school?

Also, can i apply early for the opt if i have to: for example if i am graduating in june, then can i apply for opt in first week of april? How early can you apply for Opt before graduating?

 

thanks

Twelveangry,I think it would be a better idea to go for OPT. That way, you can work in your OPT right after it is issued and don't have to wait until October. If you file your OPT beforehand,like you said in April, you might get it by July, because normally the processing time is 90days, I believe and sometimes, they are issued well before that. Yes, you can apply H1B using your previous Masters degree if that fits the job description.Finally, I encourage that even though you apply and use for OPT for a few months, go forthe H1b this year, because every year the H1B quotas are getting tougher anf tougher; it isexpected that this year even the Masters quotas will be filled in a few days as compared tofour weeks last year. So, H1B's are getting tougher every year. So, go for it this time.Hope these help. Good Luck to you!

any more info?

yes, just get ur h1 done,that is all it matters, no use of spending more money for school, get job and start earning instead of paying :)