Hi,

I did my masters in NPU first semester and transfered to ITU and worked in a local company in CPT  from my first semester related to my Masters domain for about 10/11 months, weekly 30 hours. I have applied for OPT and its been 4 months, I did not receive any reply. I am a bit worried. I asked them a week ago to expedite my process and they told if you dont receive any update in a week, you should consider it will some more time to process the application. The status still shows as Initital Review. I am not sure what would happen.

Most of my friends case are on hold, some of them got query and few of them got their OPT's even though they CPT for few months.

Just planning well ahead what for ever could happen.

1. Can i cancel my pending OPT processing now and go for another Masters in a different university.
2. Can i do one or two semesters and the go for h1b(in regulat quota) next year as it this year's quote is full.
3. What would be my options if my OPT is denied after few more days, will i be out of status.
4. How would my sevis work?

Please advise.

Thanks!

 Sometime It take more than normal time i.e 3 months.The best option for you is to go to the office of USCIS through INFOPASS and schedule an appointment with them.
I hope it works out for u.

 Thanks for your reply. Would the USCIS guys not ask me why did i change my college? Because i got stamping in different university and transferred to another one later.

Also, If i transferred to another college, is it considered first/second semester of CPT?

Do you know what wiuld they ask me in the USCIS? What is INFOPASS?

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) bureau offers a service known as InfoPass, which is a web-based system for individuals who would like to schedule a one-on-one meeting with an immigration officer at the nearest USCIS office in order to discuss the specifics of their application for permanent residency or U.S. Citizenship. In fact, some USCIS locations require appointments made through the system before applicants can visit the office or speak with an immigration officer.

USCIS InfoPass was developed and introduced by the bureau as a more convenient way to access the expertise of immigration officers in order to clarify the issues involved and actions required to deal with the specifics of individual residency and naturalization cases. Users can indicate the reason for their appointment ahead of time to streamline their visit and make sure that they are directed to the resources that they need. It is a free system designed to supplement the existing USCIS website, uscis.gov, which handles requests for routine immigration matters such as requesting immigration forms, checking an individual's case status, renewing or replacing a green card, or applying for employment authorization.

To make an appointment using the USCIS InfoPass system, individuals need a computer with an active internet connection (whether it is their own or a shared terminal for public use), a web browser such as Internet Explorer, and a printer that will be able to print out confirmation of the appointment. Once online, InfoPass offers guidance in 12 different languages.

The appointment scheduling process allows users to set their appointment by choosing from the available times at the office they will visit. USCIS notes that if a preferred time is not available, individuals should check back frequently to see if someone else has canceled an appointment, resulting in an opening in that time slot.

If citizenship or residency applicants need to reschedule their appointment for any reason, their appointment confirmation notice contains a code that they will need to refer to when making changes to their appointment time or cancelling the appointment within the InfoPass system.

Once an appointment has been scheduled through the USCIS InfoPass system, users should print their confirmation and bring it with them to meet the immigration officer. Applicants should also be sure to bring government-issued identification such as a government-issued photo ID card, a passport, a valid driver's license, or a permanent resident card. They should also bring all documentation related to their inquiry, including receipt notices and approval or denial letters.

I will wait untill monday /tuesday and check with with again to know any update, if not i will go to the USCIS. do you think it will work if i go to USCIS? in that everybody would go right whoever is waiting. I dont understand how does it make difference.

i am not exactly sure, but there might be a clause that if you are in CPT for more than 10 months, then u cant get OPT. Please do a little bit of research !

My understanding is people who dp more than 12 months of FT CPT are ot eligible.

.A student in valid F-1 status may engage in CPT during the school year on a part time basis, limited to no more than 20 hours per week. There is no limit on the length of time you may participate in part-time CPT.

Full time CPT may be engaged in only during official college breaks and vacation (between quarters and during the summer months). There is no limit on how long you can participate in full time CPT, however, if you participate in 12 months or more of CPT you become ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT). 

Do you think i can enroll in another course for Masters? Should i wait until i get any update from USCIS or can i go ahead and apply for another course admission before i hear from them? Because my visa is valid until 2014. I can be on status and plan for h1b.
Please advise.

http://www.ttic.edu/cpt-opt.php

Or Can i request the USCIS to cancel my OPT application and enroll for another Masters?

Once, USCIS sent me RFE and I sent the required docs. But,for next 3 weeks, I did not see any updates on USCIS website, I made an INFOPASS and visited to the nearest USCIS loc. The lady just searched my case no, said they will update when they get my documents...She just read the USCIS website updates for me.I was so pissed off..So, I don't think you will get any more information from your nearest USCIS office...But It is good to try..

I think you can apply for college when your case is pending. If you get admitted, they will just have to transfer your sevis and issue a new I-20..It is better to apply a college which issue CPT..coz you can change F1 to H1B while working in CPT...

I already worked on CPT now for nearly 10-11 months. That's the reason i am scared what would happen to my OPT. :(
I will mostly try doing that next week. Because they told me call them in 1 week.

Can we discontinue F1 and convert to H1B?

Glad to see people sharing their inputs, Thank you so much all for helping me.
Are you sure i can try applying to different college because currently my Sevis would be frozen right during the OPT process.

Hi, 

I still  did not get any decision, its going to be 6 months this oct 13th. I have contacted USCIS and went there in person as well. They asked me for an offer letter as i told them i have lost couple job offers. I expedited the process but lastly i just received an email from USCIS mentioning "Your background check is still pending, If you dont hear within 180 days, please contact us back". I am not sure what to do. Is it safe to wait?  Please advise.

Do you think I should wait until the decision is made or join another masters to be safe and apply for h1b next year. 
What are the chances of H1b approval?

Please advise.

Thanks, Swathi

Dude,
1. Can i cancel my pending OPT processing now and go for another Masters in a different university.
your OPT will be automatically cancelled or be void once you go back to school.
2. Can i do one or two semesters and the go for h1b(in regulat quota) next year as it this year's quote is full.
Yes you can if your employer is ok with it. But I wonder if you can apply on master'q quota or not.
3. What would be my options if my OPT is denied after few more days, will i be out of status.
If your OPT is denied then you have 60 days to make adjustment to your status. either leave the country or go back to school
4. How would my sevis work?
Your DSO will work on that and USCIS automaticaly make changes to the SEVIS.

Nagarik

Hi Dipshika,

How long did you have to wait for your OPT?  
Did you wait until you got the approval?
Do you suggest waiting untl the decision is made?

I am little bit sure i will get OPT but dint want to take risk causing too much mental tension.

hi diishika,

how long did you wait for your OPT?
Did you get your approval?
After how many months?

So, do you suggest we wait until the decision is made. I am little bit sure i will get the OPT but dint want to take risk as this is causing too much mental tension.

Hmm it seems things have changed lately. There is some updated information about Infopass here: https://www.usimmigration.org/uscis/infopass

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