dear friends:

I am in OPT right now and planning to apply for H1 this april through desi consultancy. My frens told me that applying for H1 is much like playing lottery rather than changing the status. So I wanted to know........................IF IF IF i didn't win the lottery...............will I still be in OPT status................and later can I join the master after my OPT expires.

Please help my friends, so that I can make my decision according to your suggestions.

yours truly

Sajhafan.

 

 

sajhafan,

Yes, it is right that like last year, H1B would be processed in a lottery system and if you don't get into the lottery, your OPT status won't be affected and you can join the Masters program after you complete your OPT. If you become lucky enough to get yourself into the lottery, your H1B will begin from October 1st, this year.

Last year, all the applicants who processed their H1b applications with premium fees ($1000 extra than the regular fees to expedite the process) had their cases approved. Not sure if that's the trend this year also; better consult your consultancy on this.

All the Best!

It is not true that if you have Undergrad degree and if you do premium process then your application will get approve.

You must go through lottery and if you win and if you have premium process then your approvel letter comes early thats it.

Other are true as HappyFace explained. Good luck.

dear happyface and free H1B..........thankx a lot for your suggestion. That did help me a lot. thankx again.

If you're applying under UnderGrad degree, apply for Masters degree to be on the safe side. Give GRE/GMAT whatever is necessary for Masters degree. Some Universities allow their graduates to join Masters program without GRE/GMAT or on probation basis. Talk to your University's International advisor and Department regarding this.

Remember that even if you get approved for H1B, you might have to join a college to remain in status, depending on when your OPT ends. You have 60 days grace period after OPT expires to change your status.

11th dimension ............. now i am confused again................

why do I need to join master now...........................if my opt expires on Jan 2009 and I am applying for H1 this april 2008.

Even if  I am rejected for H1 dont I have enough time to go for master.  Or, do I really need to join masters if I have to apply for H1.

Thankx.

if your OPT expires on 2009 then you are fine,, you don't have to get admitted right away. Just wait for H1B results and if it doesnt' work (I hope you will get one) you have enough time to get admitted to Master's .... but you should think about taking GRE or GMAT earlier, just in case. But don't worry about that right now wait for H1B result.