If I’m an international student, what to do about OPT and a work visa?
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If I’m an international student, what to do about OPT and a work visa?
I am doing my second Masters. I had started my OPT after finishing my first masters 4 years ago, and then in 6 months I got back to school. Now I am at the end of my second masters and wondering if I will be able to work under OPT, or will I need a work visa sponsored before I can work? If so, then will I be able to start work only in October next year? Can anyone give any suggestions?
Asked on November 13, 2012 under Immigration Law, Texas
Answers:
SB, Member, California / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If depends on how much of the OPT time you have used up and whether you would have any more left to you. The best person to ask that would be the foreign student advisor at your school. If you would want to have a work visa through an employer, you would need to have the employer file on your behalf on april 1, 2013 for a start date of employment on october 1, 2013. even if you have opt left, you would not have an entire year so you would want to maybe start on the OPT, if you have it available, but then still secure a H-1B visa so you have uninterrupted employment authorization for when the OPT expires.
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