Tricky situation - Studying on H1B -- Internship

[sid20051]

Hello,

I'm currently employed full-time on H1B as a software engineer. I'm planning to do a PhD program in psychology. At the end of the PhD program I am required to do a full-time internship for 1 year in a clinical setting.

Would it be a matter of transferring my H1-B visa from my current employer to the clinic offering the internship? Or do I have to convert to a student visa?

This is a major commitment for me and I just want to be sure that I am not left in limbo half-way through my program. Any input is most appreciated.

Thanks
Siddharth

[txh1b]

You can transfer the H1b if the clinic can sponsor H1bs. If they need one to be on F1 visa and do this as a part of CPT, to be eligible to get CPT on F1, one should have spent atleast 9 months in school on F1 visa. You need to plan accordingly.

[sid20051]

Thanks, txh1b.