Opt

[damast]

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hello everyone, i have asituation coming up and hope i can get some answers.
I am doing my my MPH(i am on f1) and will graduate in may and want to go for OPT.The reason i want to be on opt is to get me some time to legally stay in us if something goes wrong with my NYU loan application.
Now the problem is,i am not sure whether we can have another opt perriod after we finish our DDS.There is a clear ruling from US immigration bureau that you can have an OPT period for every education level,for example one for bachelor's,one for master's and one for Phd.I did a lot of research and i didnt find an answer that whether DDS or DMD is at the same,lower or at a higher level than a Master's degree.I asked the same question from nyu office of international students,they said as per their understanding we can be eligible for a second opt after DDS(even if we have used one opt for our master's) as they consider DDS degree a different level,but they also said it depends on USCIS (the immigration bureau)to decide.
So if any other members are in the same situation pls throw some light on the issue.
Thanks

 

[enamelina]

hey damast,
during the ucsf orientation...somebody had the same question ...and the person incharge of immigration services at ucsf clearly said that there will be an opt after dds...irrespective of whether u had one before or not...so u will have one more opt after DDS.

 

[damast]

That was me only who raised that question,but lately ive been getting ambigous response n thats the reason i am going nuts ....

hey damast,
during the ucsf orientation...somebody had the same question ...and the person incharge of immigration services at ucsf clearly said that there will be an opt after dds...irrespective of whether u had one before or not...so u will have one more opt after DDS.

 

[greatdentist]

hi damast,

i would strongly advise you to directly call uscis office and ask them abt your situation. also, whatever response they give, keep a log of with whom you talked with exact date and time.

also, ask with an immigration lawyer.

greatdentist

 

[damast]

Thanks,i emailed uscis office and they said we r eligible for 2nd opt.But i will continue my research.Hope to get some input from some other members also.

hi damast,

i would strongly advise you to directly call uscis office and ask them abt your situation. also, whatever response they give, keep a log of with whom you talked with exact date and time.

also, ask with an immigration lawyer.

greatdentist

 

[rahmed]

Thanks,i emailed uscis office and they said we r eligible for 2nd opt.But i will continue my research.Hope to get some input from some other members also.

I came across this information in istudentcity.com; don't know how recent is this information:

"Warning #1: No second chances!

Post-completion optional practical training is a one-time option. If you take one year of practical training after completing your degree, you cannot obtain another period of practical training upon completing another degree.
There are two exceptions: First, if you spend at least one year outside the U.S., and then return with F-1 status. Second, if you change from F-1 to another status, spend at least a year in the other status, and then change back to F-1 status."
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This is from Arizona State University website:

"Can I do a second OPT after I finish a second degree?

You are eligible for another 12 months of practical training only when you pursue a higher educational level."

rahmed

 

[damast]

thanks rahmed for ur research. the first info is wrong ,it might be old,but the second one is correct. as per new rules we can have an opt period for every education level,so now the only doubt remains whether dds is at a higher levels than masters. i ve recieved more postive respone,some say we r eligible,some say its unclear and none said we r not eligible.but i will continue my research.

I came across this information in istudentcity.com; don't know how recent is this information:

"Warning #1: No second chances!

Post-completion optional practical training is a one-time option. If you take one year of practical training after completing your degree, you cannot obtain another period of practical training upon completing another degree.
There are two exceptions: First, if you spend at least one year outside the U.S., and then return with F-1 status. Second, if you change from F-1 to another status, spend at least a year in the other status, and then change back to F-1 status."
------------------------------------------

This is from Arizona State University website:

"Can I do a second OPT after I finish a second degree?

You are eligible for another 12 months of practical training only when you pursue a higher educational level."

rahmed

 

[g3k]

thanks rahmed for ur research. the first info is wrong ,it might be old,but the second one is correct. as per new rules we can have an opt period for every education level,so now the only doubt remains whether dds is at a higher levels than masters. i ve recieved more postive respone,some say we r eligible,some say its unclear and none said we r not eligible.but i will continue my research.

DDS is a higher education after master's. DDS is a doctorate, which is definitely higher education than masters.

 

[D(M)ental]

This is my best knowledge and kinda recent (march 2006).We do get 2nd opt options if we move into a higher course like undergrad-masters and masters to PhD.The question is DDS/DMD higher than MPH?Doesn't doctrate mean PhD?Or does DDS/DMD qualify as doctoral course?(Personally I don't think so).The international education office in your present school and the prospective dental school are good places to ask.Or a lawyer.. if you can afford one 😀

 

[damast]

well , i think it should be at a different level,but we cant be sure until we arrive at that point,so may be the future holds the answer for this question.

 

[g3k]

This is my best knowledge and kinda recent (march 2006).We do get 2nd opt options if we move into a higher course like undergrad-masters and masters to PhD.The question is DDS/DMD higher than MPH?Doesn't doctrate mean PhD?Or does DDS/DMD qualify as doctoral course?(Personally I don't think so).The international education office in your present school and the prospective dental school are good places to ask.Or a lawyer.. if you can afford one 😀

Well, MD, JD, DDS, DMD, DO, and lots more are also considered doctoral degrees. As long as they have the Doctoral of.... /Doctorate in.... and is approved by the US Department of Education, it is considered doctorate. 🙂

 

[D(M)ental]

Thank you ever so much for the info gk3.... 🙂
Really appeciate it 🙂