hi all,

let me tell you first that my F1 visa is expiring on june 05, 06 and i can stay only till aug 05, 06. since i have applied for h1 on may 01, 06; i can't start working until oct, 06. so, there is a gap of 2 months ( aug and sep) before i can actually work on h1 visa. so, i am thinking to extend my F1 by getting I-20 from other small colleges that they provide block semesters of two months. is it possible for me to hold I-20 for Nov and do nothing? can i stay in US just holding the I-20 for Nov classes during aug and sep? help me out guys!

i am in confusion because i am not sure whether you can hold I-20 and stay in US after the opt gets expired. my other option would be to take kaplan classes for 2 months. but i am trying to find out the best option that i can have least expense. thanks to all!

they paid it man. if you are doing premium, then you have to give $1000 extra from your pocket.

You can enroll at Kaplan Institute for GRE, GMAT or any other courses, Kaplan will issue I-20 for 6 months. GRE,GMAT, fee is around $1200 for 3 months. You have to go to Kaplan atleast 20 hours a week to maintain your F-1 status.

1. are there any online classes you can take? during aug and sept or till oct1st? if so, please list for him!

2. where is kaplan by the way? what's their website?

3. How much it costs?

4. if he gets F-1 status from July, Aug, Sept., he can work full time too right?

5. what classes he is to register at that time?

Sathi ho help out!

after your OPT expires u have upto 60 days to be in legal status.

after that 60 days u better get in legal status somehow or u will be an illegal alien.

for kaplan goto kaplan.com and look up to sign up for one of their course which they give i-20.

latoboy,

i know the option about kaplan. is that the one and only option available for me? you ddn't say anything about holding the I-20 form for Nov. can i hold the I-20 form till Nov and do nothing?

u will have to attend class but kaplan iv heard is not very strict about attending class..

if u joined a college or university they will force u to attend class and will prolly be more expensive..

once ur h1b is approved.. u can just stop attending the kaplan or university. that will i think be in around august september.

Sabbu,

i checked online and i found out that the GRE course is only for 1 month. is that means that they are gonna issue an I-20 for just a month? or more than that? because i needed valid I-20 for at least 2 months. help me out!!

does anybody knows that if i will be legally stay in US if i get the i-20 for Sept? my opt is expiring on june 5th. so legally i can stay only till august 5th. i am trying to get an i-20 for block semester classes. is it possible to get the i-20 for sept or may be nov block semester and stay in US? is getting i-20 means that i am in F1? help me out!!

Once you have an I-20 in your hand you have upto 5 mths to start your school. Else 2 mths tops it. One ring to your intl. office is all it would take to confirm it.

Hope this helps.


IndisGuise:)

Delicate,
If I was you I will get in touch with Santosh giri dude, He sounds like he knows what he is talking about. He has some posting in here some where.

thanks a lot guys!

Hi,
I am also in the same situation.My OPT is going to end in May'2007.
Can someone suggest me what should i do in the gap.
Do i have to enroll in kaplan? If so what courses. Is it online or i have to attend classes.
Currently i am in Buffalo,New York.
Please help me.
Thanks,
Ganesh

does doing the kaplan course prolongs d stay 4 those who r here on b1b2?
suggestion soughted

Please do not go for online classes. Online classes do not maintain your F1 visa status. Many universities have clearly posted in their websites that taking only online classes doesn't meet USCIS visa requirement for international students. They must be enrolled on ground classes for 12 credit hours (Undergraduate) and 6-9 credit hours (graduate, depending upon the assistantship level and university policy) to maintain F1 status.

Hi,
Can someone tell me where i can enroll for Graduate program(like MBA or some other course) to maintain my status between the gap(May'07-Oct'07).Currently i am in New York. If you know any universities please let me know.
Thanks,
Ganesh

go to amberton university in dallas, texas, cheap and bettergood luck

why bettergood luck for amberton University , just curious?

BTW, when your opt expires, you get a grace period of 2 months to stay. You can not work in that period but you can stay. It's more like you're packing your lagguage on that period. However, if you change your status withing that 2 months than it's okay. You can also get I-20 from a school withing that period and wait for your class to start. the term/semester should start within 5 months from your expiration of the Opt date. However, you should receive your i-20 withing the 2 months of the expiration date.
Until your change your status your old school's international advisor is your guide. You should call them and ask to confirm....

Hi,
Thanks for your suggestion.
I am going to do the same.
Here i am giving a link which will help others who are in my situation.
Go thru: http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:FIPtCs7FxPIJ:www.wesley.edu/admissions/images/sevis_regulations.pdf+sevis+5+months+grace+completion+opt&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=us

Here they explained in detail.
Thanks
Ganesh

 

Hi,

I am in BIG trouble.....I was on F1 Visa purduing a bachelor's degree......I graduated from my university in dec 2007 but the OPT application reached the processing office a few days after my graduation date ....now it has been discarded and I will soon be out of status.........what options do I have? Can anyone please help me .....The only option that I have been told is moving to canada for some time and then coming back here with an H1.......Has anyone been in a similar situation????

I would really appreciate any help that I can get...

Thanks

 

You have a few more days to enroll into a graduate program for Spring '08 and get an I-20 (Talk to kaplan as they may help you get an I-20).  If unable to do that, get married to one of your friends on F-1 so your visa could be amended to an F-2.  Ot the ultimate, get married to a US citizen (if you know one) and you're all set.

All success!!