-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
1/35
All About It.
F-1 OPT, H1Band Cap Gap:
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
2/35
Plotting A RoadmapTo H1B Visa
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
.
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
3/35
What is F-1 Visa?
F-1 Visa allows foreign nationals toenter the U.S. and pursue education.
A
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
4/35
Am I eligible to work under F-1 status ?
Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows a foreign
student in valid F-1 status to accept employment in a
field directly related to his/her major field of study.
However you must have completed, or have beenpursuing a degree and maintained F-1 status generally
for at least 9 months or 2 semesters.
B
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
5/35
How long can I work in USA under OPT?
OPT is usually granted for 12 months but you can get
a 17-month extension if the field of study is within
STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics).
C
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
6/35
Apply for an
Employment AuthorizationDocument (EAD)
before starting employment.
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
7/35
How can I work in the U.S. after my educationand OPT are exhausted?
H1B Visa is the ideal non-immigrant visa for foreignnationals with at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent.
It allows you to work temporarily in a 'specialty
occupation'.
D
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
8/35
When can my employer file H1B petition?
An employer cannot file an H1B petition more than six
months in advance of the employment date. Hence, the
earliest an employer can file an H1B cap-subject petition
is April 1 st for employment starting no sooner than
October 1 st.
E
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
9/35
Find out .VisaPro has developed
a FREE Visa Eligibility tool.
Do you qualify for H1B Visa?
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
10/35
http://visaoptions.visapro.com/Visa-Eligibility.asp
Determine your H1B Visa eligibility today at:
Cost Free. Hassle Free.
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
11/35
Play By The
New Cap Gap Rules
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
.
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
12/35
What is the H1B Cap?
There is an annual limit, referred as H1B Cap, on the
number of new H1B petitions that can be approved in a
year. The current H1B annual cap is 65,000. There are an
additional 20,000 H1 Bs available for those with a U.S.
Masters degree or higher.
A
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
13/35
The H1B filing season beginsApril 1 st each year allowing
employers to file petitions for
foreign nationals to start work
in the U.S. under H1B status on
October 1 st of the samecalendar year.
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
14/35
Can I use Cap Gap,
i.e. continue working after my OPT expires ?
F-1 students whose OPT expires after the H1B is filed
can continue working until September 30. Students withpending or approved H1B petitions can remain in F-1
status through October 1 or until the H1B petition is
approved, whichever comes later, regardless of the factthat their status and/or work authorization otherwise
expired. This is called bridging the gap.
B
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
15/35
How does Cap Gap help me?
After the H1B change of status petition has been filed,
the automatic cap gap extension will begin and continue
until the H1B petition adjudication process has been
completed. If your H1B petition is approved, your
extension will continue through September 30 th .
C
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
16/35
Who qualifies for a Cap Gap extension?
F-1 students who have H1B petitions timely filed on
their behalf during the H1B acceptance period, which
begins on April 1 st, qualify for a cap gap extension.
D
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
17/35
Timely filed means that the H1B
petition was filed while the student's
authorized F-1 duration of status
(D/S) admission was still in effect
(including duration of the academic
course of study, any authorized
periods of post-completion OPT, andthe 60-day departure preparation
period known as the grace period).
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
18/35
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
What if I do not qualify for Cap Gap?
You will need to leave the U.S., apply for an H1B visa at a
consular post abroad, and then seek readmission in H1B
status, for the dates reflected on the approved H1B
petition.
E
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
19/35
If your petition is not selected,
you will have the 60-day grace
period from the date of therejection notice or the program
end date, whichever is later, to
prepare for and depart the U.S.
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
20/35
Preparing For TheBig Day:
F-1 OPT to H-1BChange of Status
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
.
A
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
21/35
To change status from OPT to H1B you
must find an employer willing to file an H1B
petition on your behalf.
A
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
22/35
To beat the H1B Cap,
ensure timely filing of your
H1B petition.
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
B
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
23/35
After your employer in the U.S. timely files
an H1B petition on your behalf you will begranted H1B status if the H1B petition is
approved.
B
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
24/35
If you are on F-1 status and
your employer has filed the
H1B petition as a Change ofStatus, the earliest you may
start the approved H1B
employment is October 1 st.
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
25/35
I Travel Because,I have to,
I Come Back BecauseI Am Under
Cap Gap Extension
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
.
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
26/35
You may return to the U.S.
and resume employment after
a temporary absence only if you holdan unexpired EAD issued for post-completion OPT
or are in an approved course of study.
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
27/35
If your EAD, covered under
a cap gap extension, has expired
and you happen to travel outside the U.S.
you will not be able to return in F-1 status.
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
28/35
In this case, you will have to apply for an
H1B visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate
abroad. Also, you cannot enter the U.S.more than 10 days prior to the date
mentioned on the approved H1B petition.
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
29/35
Summary
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
30/35
F-1 students in a bachelor's, master's or doctoral
degree program may apply for work authorization(EAD) to engage in temporary employment or
OPT in a field directly related to their major area
of study.
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
31/35
Employers must ensure that the H1B petitions are
filed while the F- 1 students authorized durationof status is still in effect in order to be eligible for
cap gap.
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
32/35
Students leaving the U.S. during the cap gap extension may not be able to return to the U.S.before the start date mentioned in the petitionwithout obtaining an H1B visa at a U.S. consulateor embassy.
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
33/35
Do you have a strategy to file your H1B petition on time?
We are offering a free H1B Filing Plan Consultation.
Schedule a free consultation with
VisaPro immigration attorney at:
www.visapro.com/h1b-cap/default.asp
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
http://www.visapro.com/h1b-cap/h1b-2015-predictions.asp -
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
34/35
VisaPro was established in October 2002 with a dream to provide exceptionalU.S. immigration legal services at reasonable costs to companies and individuals
around the globe and today we are proud to say that we have succeeded.
VisaPro offers services in the following areas: Investor and Entrepreneur Advisory Services
Work Visas: E-3, H-1B, H-2B, H-3, L-1, O, P-1, P-3, TN
Investor Visas: E-1, E-2, EB-5
Green Cards
Employer Immigration Compliance
About VisaPro
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com
-
8/12/2019 F1 OPT to H1B Change of Status: Follow These Simple Steps
35/35
Contact Us
Washington, DC1050 17th Street NW
Suite 1000Washington, DC 20036
New York
520 White Plains RoadSuite 500
Tarrytown, NY 10591
1100 S Hope St.Suite 103
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Los Angeles
I have had the pleasure of working with the staff at VisaPro. Their knowledge, professionalism and overall pleasantness made my job much easier. They assisted meevery step of the way in applying for an H1B Visa, I could not imagine gettingthrough this process without them. I would highly recommend VisaPro to anyoneapplying for a Visa. I would most definitely use VisaPro again
Beverly Brawer ,United States Luggage Company LLC
Call: 1-202-787-1944 or Visit: www.VisaPro.com