H1B and OPT STEM

[juvenchan]

Hi everyone,

I am holding a STEM degree and working under EAD (will expired on 8/2/14).

Currently I am negotiating with my employer about applying H1B this year on April.

If I apply H1B on April (without premium processing), and it is still in pending process, am I eligible to apply for OPT STEM? any restriction?

More importantly, any advise on applying H1B vs OPT STEM to earn the additional 17months and take risk(lottery) next year for H1B visa?

Please advise, and thank you for your time.


Juven

[DesiOPT-FaceBook-Admin]

Your question will be reviewed by our moderator and posted on our wall at http://www.facebook.com/desiopt1 within 24-72 hours please follow the post and forum.
*** Don't Miss Important Topics, Subscribe to our Newsletter at http://bit.ly/1da2vrz ***
If you feel this community is useful, please invite your friends by following below steps
1. Goto http://facebook.com/desiopt1
2. Find "Suggest DesiOPT.com to Your Friends" - Click on "See All" and Invite your friends
3. If you can't find the link, refer http://bit.ly/16CAYOb

In addition to the readers comments, You can also call attorneys for free advice. DesiOPT is collaborating with group of attorneys. You can contact them directly via email/ phone. Initial Consult is Free. Their information is listed on http://desiopt.com/ home page.
we are providing direct links as well, please let us know your feedback after the call

http://www.desiopt.com/index.php?show_emp=1213

http://www.desiopt.com/index.php?show_emp=3648

http://www.desiopt.com/index.php?show_emp=3561

http://www.desiopt.com/index.php?show_emp=3577

http://www.desiopt.com/index.php?show_emp=4297

Thanks

https://Www.DesiOPT.com

Disclaimer: http://bit.ly/163AglR

[lisaanderson]

Hi everyone,

I am holding a STEM degree and working under EAD (will expired on 8/2/14).

Currently I am negotiating with my employer about applying H1B this year on April.

If I apply H1B on April (without premium processing), and it is still in pending process, am I eligible to apply for OPT STEM? any restriction?

More importantly, any advise on applying H1B vs OPT STEM to earn the additional 17months and take risk(lottery) next year for H1B visa?

Please advise, and thank you for your time.


Juven

Yes, whether H-1B is pending or approved, you can apply for STEM extension as long as you are in valid F-1/OPT status.

Why can’t you do both? Apply for STEM extension and H-1B. If anything, you can apply for STEM extension, which if your employer is E-Verify and you have not violated your status in any way, is pretty much guaranteed. This way, you still have your extension, if you get the lottery, great, but if you don’t you can try again next year. Talk to an attorney about the strategy involved in doing both.

You may like to read about H1B Visa 2015 Predictions here

[DesiOPT-FaceBook-Fan]

1 yes you can apply ..
2 i would say apply it this yr .. because of volatile situation can you really take consequences of not picking u r h1 next yr ??

[DesiOPT-FaceBook-Fan]

and money you save by waiting for an yr is 7.5% of y r gross pay ..

[DesiOPT-FaceBook-Fan]

but cost of not picking up in lottery is very high .. not only money peace of mind also counts ..

[DesiOPT-FaceBook-Fan]

1. Yes 2. Apply both. h1B is good idea