H1B CAP april 1st- US grad

[LiveLoveFartRepeat]

so back to my self thread:

**USCIS to Naturalize 200 New Citizens at Lincoln Memorial Ceremony
April 9, 2009 - On Sunday, April 12, 2009, USCIS will naturalize 200 new citizens from 56 countries at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. The naturalization ceremony is part of a national tribute to singer Marian Anderson and also celebrate the 200th anniversary of President Lincoln's birth. ***

It is so exciting to know that one day my hubby and I will finally have the same citizenship as our kids.
May be one day, when I become a citizen I will have the same harsh feelings, and be like: " ok guys now that I am in, lets close the doors, shut down the immigration department. No one after me shall ever have the chance to live the american dream. Who knows..
But for now, the doors are open. Dang!! life is good

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[LiveLoveFartRepeat]

Step Description The petition has been approved.
Step Comments The Vermont Service Center has approved the following I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker that had been filed under the Premium Processing Service: Receipt Number: ****** Petitioner: ***/PHARMACY Beneficiary: **** DOB: *** Classification: H1B Starting Validity Date: 10/01/09 Ending Validity Date: 09/22/12 Consulate notified (if applicable): I-94 # (if applicable): **** The form I-797 Approval Notice will follow in the mail.

One less thing to worry about. My H1B petition has been granted. I can go on and be the community pharmacist I always wanted to be, no need for plan B. Premium processing rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!👍

 

[type b pharmD]

Step Description The petition has been approved.
Step Comments The Vermont Service Center has approved the following I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker that had been filed under the Premium Processing Service: Receipt Number: ****** Petitioner: ***/PHARMACY Beneficiary: **** DOB: *** Classification: H1B Starting Validity Date: 10/01/09 Ending Validity Date: 09/22/12 Consulate notified (if applicable): I-94 # (if applicable): **** The form I-797 Approval Notice will follow in the mail.

One less thing to worry about. My H1B petition has been granted. I can go on and be the community pharmacist I always wanted to be, no need for plan B. Premium processing rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!👍

Welcome to the real deal!! Nice profile picture btw, that guy always puts a smile on my face

 

[Ray1234]

Step Description The petition has been approved.
Step Comments The Vermont Service Center has approved the following I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker that had been filed under the Premium Processing Service: Receipt Number: ****** Petitioner: ***/PHARMACY Beneficiary: **** DOB: *** Classification: H1B Starting Validity Date: 10/01/09 Ending Validity Date: 09/22/12 Consulate notified (if applicable): I-94 # (if applicable): **** The form I-797 Approval Notice will follow in the mail.

One less thing to worry about. My H1B petition has been granted. I can go on and be the community pharmacist I always wanted to be, no need for plan B. Premium processing rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!👍

I am really happy for you!! yey!!!

 

[LiveLoveFartRepeat]

Thank guys 🙂

I really hope that pre-pharm and pharm students F-1 can share their experiences, tips, ups and downs with the system as freely as I am doing.

I know that the feelings run really high on SDN everytime one mention the word "immigrants, work permits etc". I was really sadden by all the private messages I got when I started posting in this thread.

Students had questions about all this ( being a F-1 in pharmacy school) all the do and don't; but they were shy about posting directly in the thread because of all the crap you get from some people on this forum.

It's all good, no hard feelings. One day, I will be an American too

 

[LiveLoveFartRepeat]

Hi - I am graduating this year and also in the same situation. I will be on my OPT until get I receive sponsorship for H1b. May I ask which area you received H1b sponsorship? Retail? Hospital?
I have been doing research for tips and suggestions.
Thanks a lot! 🙂

1.Retail
2.Tennessee

I need more details before being able to make suggestions. What state r u graduating from? how is the job market where u r at ? r u willing to relocate? Who is your current employer?

Have you completed your state required hours while in school? ( this is important to you employer, as it means you can take your licensing exams ASAP and start being the pharmacist they need, instead of a graduate intern)

 

[minette]

Hi...Im an intl stu, P1, goin to a pharmacy school in PA...My school refused to approve my CPT for my internship hours, saying that it is not a degree requirement..my IA told me that I could use my OPT, but I dont want to use it..I will need it when I graduate..What would you recommend? I know someone @ Buffalo pharm school, who was approved for the Cpt...I dont if I should just volunteeer or try to transfer to another school, if possible

 

[kampungboy]

Hi...Im an intl stu, P1, goin to a pharmacy school in PA...My school refused to approve my CPT for my internship hours, saying that it is not a degree requirement..my IA told me that I could use my OPT, but I dont want to use it..I will need it when I graduate..What would you recommend? I know someone @ Buffalo pharm school, who was approved for the Cpt...I dont if I should just volunteeer or try to transfer to another school, if possible

Yeah, I had the same experience as you regarding CPT. I was not able to get a CPT. Instead I applied using the economic hardship permit. I had a valid reason for that though, so I was able to show documentation before getting approved for the Economic Hardship Work permit which limits you to 20 hours a week. I'm currently an intern for CVS using that work permit.

Other than that, I don't think there's any other way to work as an intern. Nevertheless your school should have provided you ample of IPPE (early rotation) hours which will be enough by the end of your degree for you to take the boards.

So if you don't need the money, I think the best thing to do is just to chill and work your early rotation hours while you're still in school. Although, another option is to work on campus at maybe the school's pharmacy or the library or something like that if that's what you want.

cheers.

 

[LiveLoveFartRepeat]

Hi...Im an intl stu, P1, goin to a pharmacy school in PA...My school refused to approve my CPT for my internship hours, saying that it is not a degree requirement..my IA told me that I could use my OPT, but I dont want to use it..I will need it when I graduate..What would you recommend? I know someone @ Buffalo pharm school, who was approved for the Cpt...I dont if I should just volunteeer or try to transfer to another school, if possible

Sorry to hear about your CPT rejection. Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer!!!. When you transfer most schools make you repeat a year because curriculum widely vary from one school to another. To my opinion it's not worth it. Waiting til you get out of school to get your hours is not wise either, your ability to get licensed ASAP plays a crucial role in finding a job.

Hang in there, this is just the first of many road blocks ahead of you..knock them down one at a time👍

 

[LiveLoveFartRepeat]

Hi GabonpharmD,

Congratulations on your journey as an international student in Pharmacy/Pharmacist so far.

Thank you!! I do feel like being an international student was a journey by itself..seriously😀
I just wanted to ask a few questions regarding visa and permit...

xxxxxx

Which brings me to my questions :-

1. If I choose to go into retail, What would the process be like with H1-B and what are the likelihood/time-frame of me getting approved for H1-B ?

I cannot speak for every company but my process with CVS was great. The communication line was wide open between me, the cvs liaison guy and the lawyers' office. They have an online website where I could track everything, from receipt of the documents I was asked to submit to when they filed it and when the response came in...so it was just a great experience, professional paralegals...I mean they were on top of things🙂. the time frame r the same for everyone entering the lottery. The filing was submitted on April 1st ( or around that time) and it takes few weeks to hear the results but you can pay the premium processing ($1000) to get your results faster, it does not change your outcome, you just get to find out about your case much quicker..was it worth the money? YES!
2. Would I be using any of my 12 months OPT hours once I graduate while applying for a H1B ?

Yes you will be using your OPT hours while waiting on your H1B. The opt thing is now a work permit card with your picture on it. make sure to stay on top of it and file it in a timely manner with your expected graduation date otherwise you'll have to stop working after school and wait on your OPT card to come. Remember if you were working on CPT, the day after graduation you CPT is no good.

3. If I decide to go into a residency, what are the steps/procedures in relation to visa and work permit ?

That is a question I do not have an answer for you. I asked about it during a couple of rotation but noone seemed to know which visa a F-1 will need to fall into to do a residency, because you are paid for it. I never got serious enough about it to ask my internation advisor. If you find out please let me know,let us all know so that we can share the information with the next F-1/Rx student wanting to do a residency.
4. Would you recommend international student graduates to go into residency ? Is it worth it ? (If I do get into a residency, it would probably be a managed care residency program )

I would recommend any IS to go into whatever rx program they want to go in, because we don't know anyone in it does not mean we cannot do it, it's all about navigating the laws of immigration. But in researching your visa options to do a residency you don't come across a definite answer from a residency program director or your international advisor..put that dream on ice and go for the GC first!

I want to thank you in advance for your time and advice.

You r welcome! a new baby and new full time job had kept me away from SDN but I am back. Let keep this going..there is a new generation of F-1/Rx every year and they will have these same questions.
p/s: I don't mind if you post my questions/answers on the forum...

thanks🙂

 

[LiveLoveFartRepeat]

I searched and read some of your comments about international students situation.
I got accepted in one of several US pharmacy schools that I applied. I am really worried about my international student status (F-1 visa). I am making my decision whether or not to attend this program. May you answers some questions?


Congratulation on your admission to Rx school!!

What do you think about the future of pharmacy career? I know if I go to this program, I have to borrow a big LOAN. I just I will able to pay all them back.

Pharmacy has a great futur ahead of it..it is a wonderful profession and the futur is bright..but it's only my opinion noone knows what is tomorrow made of😀
You will be able to pay off your rx school debt..Now if you do like one of my colleague ( >$100K in student loan, new house, new car, new baby and stay at home wife) it might take you a little bit longer to pay it off but you'll get it done

How hard to get in residency after graduate as international student?

Getting a good residency is hard F-1/rx or not. Good grades + community/organization involvement during school r the basic to have to even have a shot at it. As far as visa type for residency as a F-1/Rx goes, refer to one of my post in the H1B thread.

Thank you

 

[minette]

Thanks to GabonPharmD
To the other intl stu interested in residency: I asked to a couple of people and my advisors, you could only do 1-year residency and you will have to use your OPT to do it, which is 12 months. Keep in mind that some residency programs don't take intl students. I think UIC accepts intl stu, even UMN.

 

[minette]

Sorry to hear about your CPT rejection. Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer!!!.

The thing is that I could only volunteer at non-profit organizations(like hospitals). So I cant even volunteer in a retail pharmacy. Do u think if I volunteer at the hospital, I would be able to find a job in retail when Im done( with no retail experience)?

 

[clarkbar]

gottcha😀

You know it's not such a crazy idea. Some med school students actually do it. Go get your education somewhere cheaper come pass their board exams in the us= less debt and same paycheck.

The medical community has other barriers to foreigners that we dont. One has to apply to a residency in medicine. It is more difficult for them to get it. They also have to do the lower quality resiencies and often end up in primary care for that reason.

From what I can tell, foreign pharmacists just have to pass the naplex, TOEFL, and get in through a retail chain visa. It would take a medical foreign grad at least three years and barring from most specialties to practice medicine here. The tests are also more numerous, including mock patient exams.

 

[clarkbar]

Wow...so unemployment is certain to exceed rates not seen in a quarter-century and likely to reach rates that haven't been encountered since the 1940s...while concurrently, the sheer number of Americans who are unemployed outweighs any other recession OR depression in US History....Even the Great Depression.




http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2009/04/06/daily35.html

....but we need Visas???


What exactly IS the objective of this program???


I bet some media outlets would tear this **** up. This needs some more attention.

Foreigners in pharmacy are actually not that big of an influence. Take IT, for example, tens of thousands of Indians enter that field in the U.S. every year. I'm even seeing it in other coutnries when I travel.
The point of the U.S. visa is for a more flexible employee.
We haven't had decent employment opps here in this country in decades (pharm excluded).
I'm stunned at how medicine and dentistry has protected its own.

 

[KKHeal]

Step Description The petition has been approved.
Step Comments The Vermont Service Center has approved the following I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker that had been filed under the Premium Processing Service: Receipt Number: ****** Petitioner: ***/PHARMACY Beneficiary: **** DOB: *** Classification: H1B Starting Validity Date: 10/01/09 Ending Validity Date: 09/22/12 Consulate notified (if applicable): I-94 # (if applicable): **** The form I-797 Approval Notice will follow in the mail.

One less thing to worry about. My H1B petition has been granted. I can go on and be the community pharmacist I always wanted to be, no need for plan B. Premium processing rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!👍

Hey GabonPharmD this seems to be an old thread..just stumbled on it and wanted to say congrats!! Hope u're doing well and ur family too!!

 

[treeshadow]

Many thanks to all who have contributed to this thread. I am an international student who has been accepted to pharmacy school in the US and will be starting this Fall. Also looking to do a residency as well. Any advice and comments would be much appreciated!

 

[LiveLoveFartRepeat]

Hey GabonPharmD this seems to be an old thread..just stumbled on it and wanted to say congrats!! Hope u're doing well and ur family too!!

Thank you

 

[LiveLoveFartRepeat]

Many thanks to all who have contributed to this thread. I am an international student who has been accepted to pharmacy school in the US and will be starting this Fall. Also looking to do a residency as well. Any advice and comments would be much appreciated!

Congratulation on ur admission Enjoy this first success.Read my postings on CPT and know the required intern hours by your state board of pharmacy.
Since you r already interested in doing a residency get involved in your school organizations' activities while maintaining a very good GPA.
You'll do just fine in rx school

 

[minette]

Sorry to hear about your CPT rejection. Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer!!!. When you transfer most schools make you repeat a year because curriculum widely vary from one school to another. To my opinion it's not worth it. Waiting til you get out of school to get your hours is not wise either, your ability to get licensed ASAP plays a crucial role in finding a job.

Hang in there, this is just the first of many road blocks ahead of you..knock them down one at a time👍

I am in shock!!!! I tried to follow ur advice and volunteer to get my hours...The largest system of hospitals here told me that I cannot volunteer to get my hours...I asked about volunteering without getting the internship hours (just to get some pharmacy experience), they told me it is not possible because I don't have a Green card!! just volunteering!!! Now my only option is to use my OPT to get all my 750 hours!!!!

 

[LiveLoveFartRepeat]

I am in shock!!!! I tried to follow ur advice and volunteer to get my hours...The largest system of hospitals here told me that I cannot volunteer to get my hours...I asked about volunteering without getting the internship hours (just to get some pharmacy experience), they told me it is not possible because I don't have a Green card!! just volunteering!!! Now my only option is to use my OPT to get all my 750 hours!!!!

The only know cure for ignorance is education. It's infortunate that you are obviously dealing with people that are hidding their ignorance of immigration laws with completely false and baseless claims. it is the only door you knocked at? any other hospital around? the size of the hospital does not matter when you are dealing with narrow minded people.

Just make sure to wait til after graduation to use your OPT for your 750 hours. Companies willing to hire IS are used to it because the foreign grad have to do so many hours to before licensing. Things won't move as quickly as you would want them to post graduation but you are still going to find a job and be paid the same fair wage as your classmates..it all even out at the end hang it there👍

 

[PD11]

1.Retail
2.Tennessee

I need more details before being able to make suggestions. What state r u graduating from? how is the job market where u r at ? r u willing to relocate? Who is your current employer?

Have you completed your state required hours while in school? ( this is important to you employer, as it means you can take your licensing exams ASAP and start being the pharmacist they need, instead of a graduate intern)

GabonPharmD --- I am so grateful that there are people like you. Being an international student is constant struggle... I wish you the best of luck in everything you want to do! 🙂

 

[LiveLoveFartRepeat]

GabonPharmD --- I am so grateful that there are people like you. Being an international student is constant struggle... I wish you the best of luck in everything you want to do! 🙂

awwww! thank you PD11😍

 

[LiveLoveFartRepeat]

from my inbox:

****Hi, I have been reading through your threads and I think I may have figured this whole h1b thing out.
I came up with this possible scenario for myself. Pls correct me if I'm wrong.

I graduate Aug 2011.
OPT could begin in a month or two? so lets say i start working in September 2011
Employer files for h1b on April 1 2012
hopefully it gets approved
OPT Should end Sept 2012,
then possibly get an extension until October 1 2012 when the H1b will be in effect?

Thanks in advance for any clarification and advice you can give on this issue
**

---------------------------------------------------
You scenario looks great but I am not sure that your OPT can be extended beyond a year. There are some specific rules to that effect. Not everyone is automatically eligible for it. Infortunately you can't find out if you are a good candidate for extension until you are already on the post graduation OPT and your company uses E-verify.

http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1207334008610.shtm


If it cannot be extended ( which again you won't find out until you actually apply), the best option is to have your OPT start at the end of October-November (you won't be able to work at all until OPT is in effect), so that you are covered, just in case you don't qualify for an extension. It's a risk you are taking because if you have a gap, even of 30-day only, between opt and H1B you are considered illegal and must leave the country and come back when H1B takes effect.

Hope this help.
Good luck