OPT information please!!!

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sprint123

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Dear friends,

I have completed my MPH-epidemiology program and have received my OPT to start my first year of residency in IM. I came across the article which states that OPT could be extend to 29 months. Will this apply to residency programs?

Any additional info would be really appreciated!

Thanks!
 
They passed this law on 1st April 2008. I think you should consult with your school DSO to find out if it will be applicable to you. From what I have read and heard, from 2008 onwards all OPTs will be valid for 29 months so that students can avoid the H-1B cap in the future. I am preety sure you will be able to utilize it for your residency. Good luck.
 
Hello Teshi,

Thank you very much for your reply!!! It is attractive that I could use this option and get atleast an extra year in OPT but I am stuck with few queries.

1.When I talked with my program advisor, she said that she is not sure whether it would be applicable for universities which are exempted from H-1B cap. Does this rule apply only for those working under H-1B cap?

2. Currently, My OPT starts from this June. To be eligible for this extension, when should I apply for H-1 B? Could anyone give me approximate dates.

It would be of great help guys!
Thank yu very much!
Sprint
 
sprint123 said:
Hello Teshi,

Thank you very much for your reply!!! It is attractive that I could use this option and get atleast an extra year in OPT but I am stuck with few queries.

1.When I talked with my program advisor, she said that she is not sure whether it would be applicable for universities which are exempted from H-1B cap. Does this rule apply only for those working under H-1B cap?

2. Currently, My OPT starts from this June. To be eligible for this extension, when should I apply for H-1 B? Could anyone give me approximate dates.

It would be of great help guys!
Thank yu very much!
Sprint
Click to expand...

1. This rule is applicable to all universities. Basically all students who currently have a 12 month OPT. I work for an institution that is exempted from the H-1B cap but I found out from my DSO that I am eligible for the extension (My OPT expires in July 2008).

2. If you want to apply for the H-1B visa, I would suggest that you start the process in December. If you're working for a university/hospital they will most likely be exempt from the cap therefore no deadline. However, if you start the process early, you can avoid the $1,000 premium processing fee and get your H-1B status well before your OPT expires next year.

If this OPT extension rule carries over to next year, you can just apply for the extension without worrying about starting the H-1B process. I think you can apply up to 90 days before your current OPT expiration date. Hope this helps!
 
Hello Teshi,

Thank you very very much!! It was really helpful!

I believe, this rule might be of useful to me to prolong my H1-B start! I have one last query with me 🙂

I start my residency in OPT which expires in June 2009. I apply 3 months before June 2009 for OPT extension. They grant it for another one year so that my OPT period extend till June 2010 and I could apply for H-1 B in Dec//Jan 2010 so that I could start my H-1 B in July 2010.

Can you tell me this 'dream' situation can really happen?

Thanks a lot!
 
Hello sprint123 and teshi1,
I needed your help in clarifying this doubt i had.
Sprint123, I read that OPT is granted "to engage in paid employment related to their
major field of study". since you have done your MPH in epid,wasn't there any problem when you started doing residency in IM? is residency in IM considered to be
related to epid?

teshi1, is this extension applicable to MPH and MHA degrees? I couldnt find either of these in the CIP lists.

Thanks.
 
duradoc: You raise a valid point...OPT is meant for employment related to the students field of study, so technically sprint123 might not be eligible for an extension since the residency will not be related to his/her MPH program (I am guessing).

sprint123: you should check with your designated school official at the international office if the residcency will create any issues with your OPT extension. I have had friends who have used their OPT to do stuff outside of their academic fields and haven't faced any problems. However, with the extension law, you might want to doublecheck. If you're not eligible for an extension you can always use your 12 month OPT and apply for your H-1B in December 2008.

duradoc: I don't know if MPH and MHA degrees fall under the STEM criteria...never thought of that before!! However, I had read somewhere that students in other fields will also be eligible for an extension once the rule becomes effective.

Good luck! 🙂
 
teshi1: I dont know if what i have deduced here is correct but look at this.......
i got this from the link you have posted above...

"OPT extension to 29 months for STEM students. The 12-month limit on F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) will be extended by 17 months, for a total of 29 months, for certain STEM degreeholders (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) in the following fields:
Actuarial Science. CIP Code 52.1304.
Computer Science Applications:
CIP Codes 11.xxxx (except Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications, which are CIP Codes 11.06xx)
Engineering. CIP Codes 14.xxxx.
Engineering Technologies. CIP Codes 15.xxxx.
Biological and Biomedical Sciences. CIP Codes 26.xxxx.
Mathematics and Statistics. CIP Codes 27.xxxx.
Military Technologies. CIP Codes 29.xxxx.
Physical Sciences. CIP Codes 40.xxxx.
Science Technologies. CIP Codes 41.xxxx.
Medical Scientist (MS, PhD). CIP Code 51.1401
"

Now some of the codes for MPH and concentrations therein are:

[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Swiss] 51.2201 . [FONT=Verdana,Arial,Swiss] Public Health, General (MPH, DPH).
51.2202 Environmental health
51.2203 Epidemiology .[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Swiss](Moved, Report under 26.1309)
.[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Swiss]51.2204 Health and Medical Biostatistics. (Deleted, Report under 26.1102)

and so on.
Since MPH falls under the code starting from 51.xxxx, it probably is not eligible for the OPT extension. Interestingly, Epidemiology has been moved to 26.1309, a category eligible for extension (biological and biomedical sciences). So maybe, anyone majoring in epidemiology IS eligible for the extension.

However, lets wait for Sprint123's response. since he/she is actually 'in the process' and is probably in touch with the concerned authorities .[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Swiss], he/she might be able to share some information we might not have.

Sprint123: we are eagerly awaiting your response to this.

Thanks
.
 
Hello teshi and duradoc!!!

I am back again 🙂. Thank you very much guys for your informations! I thought I would be the only guy worrying about this issue 🙂. Hey duradoc, NOT all programs accept epidemiology as a directly related field to residency but 50% of the programs do accept!

I contacted my attorney secretary (not the attorney himself 🙂] and she said that she is NOT 100% sure of the procedures involved as it has been released jsut a month ago. However, she said that the above rule applies only to programs which have the E-Verify system (Electronic verification system). I don't know what on earth it is 🙂.
She also added that most of the university programs would not have the E-Verify system and probably, I might not be eligible for this OPT extension 🙁

However,as duradoc pointed out --- Epidemiology is still under OPT extension 🙂. I am having the slightest hope with me! The secretary said we would discuss on this issue in detail 6 months from now when I would start H-1B processing.

Any additional information guys ?
 
Sprint123: I hate to defuse your enthusiasm but i really don't know if epidemiology is included in the OPT extension or not.
I just presented the facts as I saw them on the websites .

I think a good idea would be to show these facts to your attorney/secretary and your school officials and see what they say.

also , you could check and confirm the CIP code of the course which YOU have actually completed to know in which category your university has placed the course.

Do you know any other program apart from MPH, DrPH, MS where epidemiology is taught as a subject? I don't. So i dont see any reason why the extension should not include students doing MPH with a concentration in Epid. But then, i am not the one deciding these policies.😉🙂

Please do keep us informed about any information you dig up.

thanks
 
Thank you very much duradoc!!! I will definitely update you if I dig out something!

Stay in touch!
 
sprint123 said:
Thank you very much duradoc!!! I will definitely update you if I dig out something!

Stay in touch!
Click to expand...

Sorry guys, I have been under the weather for the past few days, Ohio weather sucks! Wow! I guess its good that there is a chance that they might consider epidemiology for the OPT extension! (also because I am planning on changing my MPH concentration from GH to Epi 🙂) Keep us updated Sprint123. Have a good Sunday!
 
Hi guys...Just found out that ...For OPT extension, the program must be under E-verify system (as stated above) and only <1% of the programs are under E-verify it seems.
 
I work at the Cleveland Clinic and they weren't in the E-verify system either but I heard they were trying to apply so that they can be a part of the system to ease employment issues with international graduates. You can find out if your employer is willing to apply to be a part of the system. Sucks that they had to put the E-verify restriction! Its ridiculous!😡
 
Yes teshi!!!It sucks :-(....Gimme your take on this situation...

Currently, I am in OPT for my first year of residency...Planning for H-1 B in July...so, I have to apply for H-1 B processing 4-5 months before to avoid the rpemium processing fess of 1000$. So, I would apply by January....How can I make best use of the OPT extension?...My University is ready to continue with me in OPT except that they are NOT under e-verify!

In the ebst case scenario, where they enroll themselves under e-verify later this year , how should I proceed? Should I file for H-1 B in January or wait for my OPT extension application 90 days before July (somewhere around March?). If that doesn't worj out then file for premium processing in April!!

What is your take teshi??
 
Hey..Just another information -- infact a very very bad news for me.....OPT extension is valid onlt for thoe who are doing a MS or Phd in epidemiology. MPH_epidemilogy does NOT come under this section!
 
Wow that sucks! I think you should just go ahead and apply for your H-1B, don't waste your time with the OPT especially considering that the H-1B will be valid for 3 years so I guess it should last you through the end of your residency. The H-1B process isn't that bad, as long as you have a good lawyer and your employer is willing to sponsor you. Good luck with everything. I think I will be in your situation in two years (minus all the residency mess). Take care.
 
Gosh everyone's been quiet! Just a quick update, some of my friends are applying for the extension right now and have found that most companies are NOT willing to join the free E-verify system. Apparently, if a company joins, it will also have to reveal some additional information about their other employees (even if they are citizens) therefore most companies are reluctant to join. So I guess the best option is still the H-1B.
 
Hi All, I have applied for MHA course which starts in Fall 2015.
Please advise me how to get H1B during OPT.
What kind of companies are ready to sponsor for H1B ?
 
Is there anyone in this group who can guide us regarding the jobs in Epi for international applicants??
 
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