Yes. There are some tricks to it.
It's not as competitive this year as a few years ago to obtain an H1-B, but not everyone gets it, to be honest. So, you really wanna get it, right?Here are some tricks to applying for H1-B to increase your chance of getting it:
• If you have not found a job yet, plan your OPT to start in Spring/Summer time. Why? Because Submission of H1-B is in early April each year more often than not, so you will have plenty of time looking for a job while on your OPT period.
• If you have found a job, plan your OPT to start in Fall. Why? Because this way, you can still work with your OPT while waiting for the result of your application.
If your time is pushing, and your OPT is ending soon with job/no job, try these below:
With Job:
• Apply for H1-B sponsored by your employer. Just be confident about your work performance, and ask if they will sponsor you and your OPT timeline situation.
• Ask your employer: if they can wait for you to come back in October. If YES, you can do whatever you want until October!!! If NO, then ask if they can have you work as a volunteer with no pay until October. According to some attorneys, 'volunteering' is a gray area = it's not clear whether legal or illegal by the law. Also, I really don't recommend this (wink wink), but some companies give you under-table option instead of volunteering if you'd ask/beg them. But this is completely LELGAL, and you should be aware of the consequences.
When OPT is about to be invalid ...
Wanna stay in the U.S.? Then take this opportunity to go back to school (to your previous one with a different major only if not
too late to register) OR Transfer to another school while waiting to receive an approval in October.
OR
Take a long, a very long vacation, which is totally awesome! Going back to a home country for some family bonding time is absolutely good for you this time! or Traveling around the world! Heyyy!
Without Job:
hmmm, let me see. Ok, just find a job before your OPT will have been expired because it's not too late until it'd be actually expired. Then try to apply for H1-B one more time! Trust me, this works for some people including myself! If they want ti sponsor you, then read 'With Job:'option above.
Still can't find a job and your OPT is about to expire?
Then find a school like UC's that offer some special certificate course. If chosen this option, be registered within 60days from your OPT validation date. Take one of those for 3 quarters, then you'll get a internship option on your third or fourth quarter. (check details and features of these courses by contacting an international&exchange office of each school). You will not be qualified for an OPT since you already had one, but you will still be qualified for an internship. By working as an intern, you will have another chance to show your work skill to company in the U.S., and if they want to(you ask!), they will be your sponsor for an H1-B! If so, follow the 'With Job:' .
There you go! You have what... two or three times to apply for H1-B after all! You had no idea, but now you do!
Good Luck ;-)
My Personal 'Roller-Coaster' Story is below, not necessary to read this part, but just to share my experience with you:
In my case, my OTP had started in March'07 and ended in March'08. Luckily I found a job in March'07 and applied to H1-B right away to make the application deadline, but found that I did not even pass the first process(in May'07)... 'Oh Well'...
I decided to stay in the U.S. because I just couldn't let it go!... , but I moved on to another job for god sake, and I was planning to leave U.S. when OPT would have expired anyways. The job I found(in Aug'07) was pretty laid back enough, I liked it. Then in February ('08), I told them I need to turn in a resignation for A Reason. This is when my miracle story happened! I was told to apply for H1-B with them, and they'll wait for me to come back in October!
By The Way, it's Up To You whether you tell them about your Visa situation or not at a job interview. Make your best judgement! To be honest, I didn't!
Instead of going back to Japan,my home country, right away, I took an opportunity to go back to school full time. It was great that I also got to enjoy the Summer in the U.S. making new friends, and guess what! i found a boyfriend, too! What I did was to transfer from CSUF to UCI. (transfer before your OPT expires to avoid a complicated process and to also avoid unexpected circumstances. that might occur) Remember, you are still in your F1 status while with OPT!... , so if anything, go back to your school and meet with a counselor particularly for international students to get some assistance. (Attention CSUF students: Mrs. Jeany Hotta is the person to see! Knowledgeable and doesn't screw you over.
If your time is pushing, and your OPT is ending soon with job/no job, try these below:
With Job:
• Apply for H1-B sponsored by your employer. Just be confident about your work performance, and ask if they will sponsor you and your OPT timeline situation.
• Ask your employer: if they can wait for you to come back in October. If YES, you can do whatever you want until October!!! If NO, then ask if they can have you work as a volunteer with no pay until October. According to some attorneys, 'volunteering' is a gray area = it's not clear whether legal or illegal by the law. Also, I really don't recommend this (wink wink), but some companies give you under-table option instead of volunteering if you'd ask/beg them. But this is completely LELGAL, and you should be aware of the consequences.
When OPT is about to be invalid ...
Wanna stay in the U.S.? Then take this opportunity to go back to school (to your previous one with a different major only if not
too late to register) OR Transfer to another school while waiting to receive an approval in October.
OR
Take a long, a very long vacation, which is totally awesome! Going back to a home country for some family bonding time is absolutely good for you this time! or Traveling around the world! Heyyy!
Without Job:
hmmm, let me see. Ok, just find a job before your OPT will have been expired because it's not too late until it'd be actually expired. Then try to apply for H1-B one more time! Trust me, this works for some people including myself! If they want ti sponsor you, then read 'With Job:'option above.
Still can't find a job and your OPT is about to expire?
Then find a school like UC's that offer some special certificate course. If chosen this option, be registered within 60days from your OPT validation date. Take one of those for 3 quarters, then you'll get a internship option on your third or fourth quarter. (check details and features of these courses by contacting an international&exchange office of each school). You will not be qualified for an OPT since you already had one, but you will still be qualified for an internship. By working as an intern, you will have another chance to show your work skill to company in the U.S., and if they want to(you ask!), they will be your sponsor for an H1-B! If so, follow the 'With Job:' .
There you go! You have what... two or three times to apply for H1-B after all! You had no idea, but now you do!
Good Luck ;-)
My Personal 'Roller-Coaster' Story is below, not necessary to read this part, but just to share my experience with you:
In my case, my OTP had started in March'07 and ended in March'08. Luckily I found a job in March'07 and applied to H1-B right away to make the application deadline, but found that I did not even pass the first process(in May'07)... 'Oh Well'...
I decided to stay in the U.S. because I just couldn't let it go!... , but I moved on to another job for god sake, and I was planning to leave U.S. when OPT would have expired anyways. The job I found(in Aug'07) was pretty laid back enough, I liked it. Then in February ('08), I told them I need to turn in a resignation for A Reason. This is when my miracle story happened! I was told to apply for H1-B with them, and they'll wait for me to come back in October!
By The Way, it's Up To You whether you tell them about your Visa situation or not at a job interview. Make your best judgement! To be honest, I didn't!
Instead of going back to Japan,my home country, right away, I took an opportunity to go back to school full time. It was great that I also got to enjoy the Summer in the U.S. making new friends, and guess what! i found a boyfriend, too! What I did was to transfer from CSUF to UCI. (transfer before your OPT expires to avoid a complicated process and to also avoid unexpected circumstances. that might occur) Remember, you are still in your F1 status while with OPT!... , so if anything, go back to your school and meet with a counselor particularly for international students to get some assistance. (Attention CSUF students: Mrs. Jeany Hotta is the person to see! Knowledgeable and doesn't screw you over.
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