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Change of status (F-1 to H-1B)
Situation:
- currently on F-1
- expecting to graduate by May/June-2015
- have to travel to India for personal reasons after I graduate (like in July/August)
- have a full-time job offer here in US (join by September)
- will be applying for OPT as well
- my employer is planning to apply for my H-1B this year (by April)
Understanding of OPT and H-1B:
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
- I cannot travel outside US until I get my EAD (after applying for OPT). Once I get my EAD, I can travel and reenter without any issues.
- If H-1B petition (for "change of status") is filed
(1) if approved, travel and reentry (before October-1) is not an issue.
(2) if not approved (pending), H-1B petition will be considered "abandoned". I have to visit a US consulate and get the H-1B visa.
Questions regarding H-1B:
[1] Is it possible to apply for H-1B in a different way that permits travel? I have read that we can request an amended H-1B petition that allows travel during processing but I am not sure if it is possible at all.
[2] Regardless of whether H-1B is approved or abandoned, I can reenter US for work with OPT (F-1 visa, EAD, etc.). Is this correct?
- currently on F-1
- expecting to graduate by May/June-2015
- have to travel to India for personal reasons after I graduate (like in July/August)
- have a full-time job offer here in US (join by September)
- will be applying for OPT as well
- my employer is planning to apply for my H-1B this year (by April)
Understanding of OPT and H-1B:
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
- I cannot travel outside US until I get my EAD (after applying for OPT). Once I get my EAD, I can travel and reenter without any issues.
- If H-1B petition (for "change of status") is filed
(1) if approved, travel and reentry (before October-1) is not an issue.
(2) if not approved (pending), H-1B petition will be considered "abandoned". I have to visit a US consulate and get the H-1B visa.
Questions regarding H-1B:
[1] Is it possible to apply for H-1B in a different way that permits travel? I have read that we can request an amended H-1B petition that allows travel during processing but I am not sure if it is possible at all.
[2] Regardless of whether H-1B is approved or abandoned, I can reenter US for work with OPT (F-1 visa, EAD, etc.). Is this correct?
