freedom21

Hi Tino, Thank you very, very much for the information! Also, I really appreciate the advice. I completely agree with you about an H1 and a job in this economy. But, I guess, sometimes to get further, one must take a step backward. One quick clarification! About #3, where you said "Depends. If you employer will keep you and H1B is still valid, should be OK.", my question is, why the employer would not keep me? Meaning, is there a way my employer can know about my application for COS unless I tell them ? if I decide not to tell my employer till I get a solid notice from the USCIS about my COS, then in case of denial, I do not have to let them know anything, I can just continue on with my regular job, is this correct? Again Tino, thanks a million for the information! This is really helpfu! God Bless you for helping us all! Freedom is a very precious thing! Not because it is tough to achieve! But it is very tough to keep!

Hello All, Here is my background: I am on H1B status and have been working as an IT professional for last 3 years. I also have been taking a few classes for my part time Masters degree. Recently I have decided to go back to School fulltime and finish the Masters degree. Thus I have to change my status from H1 to F1. I have been doing a lot of research on how to go about changing my status and have a few questions: 1) When does my status change? Meaning, once the USCIS gets my application for COS, I am still on H1B, correct? If that so, how do I know when my status has changes to F1? Do I get an Official Approval from USCIS? Or my status changes as soon as the application for COS is pending (on going)? Or is there a date or time when (i.e. from January 2009) from when my status will change? 2) What Time do I need to tell my Employer that I will be leaving the Job? Meaning should (or can I) I wait till I get an Official Approval of my COS application and then give the employer a 2 weeks notice ? OR do I need to let them know as soon as I apply for COS? 3) What happens for some unforeseen reason, my application for COS gets denied? Am I still on H1 B and can continue my job without any hassle? I have been doing a lot of research and could not find reasonable answers for these questions. Could anybody please, please help me with these? Thank you very much in advance!! Freedom is a very precious thing! Not because it is tough to achieve! But it is very tough to keep!