Study full time on H1B and working full time?

[Jaminli]

Hi all,

 

I currently hold H1B. I'd like to ask if it is legally possible to study full time in a master's program in the US on H1B, provided that my company allows me to keep my job while I'm studying? Thanks a lot.

 

Jaminli

[Tino]

Yes. H1B can study. As long as you maintain your job you will be in status.

 

If you leave the job, you will need to change visas.

 

Tino

[Jaminli]

Thanks for your reply Tino. Two further related questions I have are:

1. With H1B studying full time, would it be okay to take on assistantship work (doing research work for professors, etc) on campus?

2. My visa has expired (Status is not of course). If I leave the US, when I apply for a visa to enter the US, would I have to apply for a H1B visa again and not F1, despite also being a full time student and working?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

P.S. There is another link on this forum with the same original question, which results from the link being moved to here from another forum. I apologize for the duplicate message.

 

Jaminli

[Tino]

1) I think this is a grey area. I think anything paid would be a problem. But unpaid would be ok, in my opinion.... if for no reason other than no one will know.

 

2) You would apply for a new H1B.

 

I think the main question will be, how can you work full-time and study full-time, so you need to be prepared to answer that.

 

Tino

[Tino]

regarding #2: An F visa holder cannot work. BUT, and H visa holder can study. So if you will do both, the only visa that will accomodate that (again, in my opinion) is the H

 

Tino