H1B- to F1..plss reply ..thanks

[arvind123]

I am planning to go for a MBA in spring 2009.
I currently hold a valid H1-B from my employer.The H1-B expires in Aug2010.I am really worried now that whether this H1-B is going to affect my chances of getting a F1.Also I need to know when shuld I quit my job and apply for a F1 ..if I need to leave India in Jan2009.I went through a thread posted by you ..but in that case the person was already in US and he ws changing his visa status there ..in my case I have never been to the US ..and so my visa has not been used till now..pls let me know how I shuld procedd with this porble..I have to still receive a I 20 from the colelges I ahve applied to ..it will be great if you could mail me ur reply or post your reply here ..

Thanks,
Arvind

[Tino]

You are in India?
You will come to the USA on H1b and work? When?
In Jan 2009 you want to start MBA?

Tino

[arvind123]

Hi Tino ,

Thanks for your reply...

Actually I have the H1-B visa since last year but I ahve never been to US for any work.So now I have decided not to go to US on work permit but instead apply for a F1 so that I can attend MBA in JAN 2009.I ahve already applied to schools and awaiting for their reply.Once I receve my I-20 from any school I can go for F1.

mY MAIN CONCERNS ARE AS BELOW.

1.dO i NEED TO CANCEL MY H1-B first befroe going for F1 or can I directly go to the US consulate for FI and once I gt my F1 my H1-B stands cancelled.

2.Will the VO ask for any letter from my company ..whenI go for my visa interview

3.After completing my studies ..when I again go for H1-b application do I need to apply through the regular lottery or is there some special quota for ppl like me who already had a H1-b issued to them

Pls reply to my doubts if possible ..it will be of great help..

thanks,
Arvind

[arvind123]

Hi Tino ,

Thanks for your reply...

Actually I have the H1-B visa since last year but I ahve never been to US for any work.So now I have decided not to go to US on work permit but instead apply for a F1 so that I can attend MBA in JAN 2009.I ahve already applied to schools and awaiting for their reply.Once I receve my I-20 from any school I can go for F1.

mY MAIN CONCERNS ARE AS BELOW.

1.dO i NEED TO CANCEL MY H1-B first befroe going for F1 or can I directly go to the US consulate for FI and once I gt my F1 my H1-B stands cancelled.

2.Will the VO ask for any letter from my company ..whenI go for my visa interview

3.After completing my studies ..when I again go for H1-b application do I need to apply through the regular lottery or is there some special quota for ppl like me who already had a H1-b issued to them

Pls reply to my doubts if possible ..it will be of great help..

thanks,
Arvind

[paradox3696]

mY MAIN CONCERNS ARE AS BELOW.

1.dO i NEED TO CANCEL MY H1-B first befroe going for F1 or can I directly go to the US consulate for FI and once I gt my F1 my H1-B stands cancelled.

No, Uncle Sam will take care of cancellation for you during your F1 visa application with a Stamp "Cancelled without Prejudice" or something to that nature. And yes, you may proceed with your F1 application without having to cancel it first.

2.Will the VO ask for any letter from my company ..whenI go for my visa interview

Probably not. However, you could be asked as to why you did not utilize the H1-B visa. And most probably, you will be asked about your employment status in India at the moment.

3.After completing my studies ..when I again go for H1-b application do I need to apply through the regular lottery or is there some special quota for ppl like me who already had a H1-b issued to them

Yes, you will have to apply it via he present lottery system with some exceptions (eg, Academics Institution etc)

[arvind123]

Hi Paradox ,

You are a life saver ..I was going to go to some immigration lawyer with these doubts but you have saved my money ..thanks for that )

Just 1 small thing ..one of my freinds from the US said to me that if I get my H1-B cancelled and then after completing my MS or MBA when I apply for the H1-B again ..then I will get a chance to apply thouigh some different quota other than the regular H1-B lottery system.As you have already mentioned that I will still have to apply thru the rgular system ..can you please provide me some link or website on which I can get more info about this ..becasue I am concerned that after completing my studies if I dont get a H1-B my job prospects will be affected.

Thanks for all the info you hve provided me.

Arvind

[paradox3696]

Originally Posted by arvind123

Hi Paradox ,

You are a life saver ..I was going to go to some immigration lawyer with these doubts but you have saved my money ..thanks for that )

Just 1 small thing ..one of my freinds from the US said to me that if I get my H1-B cancelled and then after completing my MS or MBA when I apply for the H1-B again ..then I will get a chance to apply thouigh some different quota other than the regular H1-B lottery system.As you have already mentioned that I will still have to apply thru the rgular system ..can you please provide me some link or website on which I can get more info about this ..becasue I am concerned that after completing my studies if I dont get a H1-B my job prospects will be affected.

Thanks for all the info you hve provided me.

Arvind

It is to my belief that your friend was referring to the same thing, ie, apply each year on early April via lottery system.

H-1B Visas

[Tino]

Just to mention, I agree with Paradox's posts above. Best of luck.

Tino

[arvind123]

Hi Tino and Paradox ,

Thanks for all your help and comments.
If I get any more info about this I will surely update it here.

Just 1 more query , do you have any information about the OPT extension being applicable to the MBA students.If you have any link or other details about this and then please let me know .

Thanks,
Arvind

[Tino]

OPT for Masters is 1 year (usually) upon graduation.
Tino