MBA's not eligible for OPT extensions....

Question

The OPT (Optional practical training) period has just been increased from the current twelve months to a maximum of 29 months. This is definitely great news for internationals...but not for those pursuing an MBA :shock:

The extension is apparently only for degrees in one of the STEM fields... :shock:

https://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/ ... f3d6a1RCRD So the already complicated VISA processes for internationals just got a little more complicated...

Darden2010 · Answer

man that sucks, we are being discriminated against

and also, would you really be interested in being on OPT for 29 months!!! that is too long because while you are on OPT you are just stuck, you are not moving in the process of immigration

and, as far as I have heard the cap has not been reach yet this year huh? and it is already the 4th... am I correct or am I just not well informed

?

kk.iyer · Answer

Well I look at it like this... an OPT is equivalent to having a GC..which means one can switch employers without any restrictions..

So it is a big plus; it would give me time to see how much I like the job I end up with soon after school.
I can find an employer/profile that truly love and then initiate any other processes as required.

I would hate being stuck with an employer that I don't like, till the entire process goes through.
I am not aware of H1B stats for this year...

bb · Answer

It looks like they are having a hard time retaining talent in one field, so they are favoring that one only. Quite typical of US Gov to provide benefits and steer people in a certain direction.

However, perhaps this will apply for other areas later on. OPT for 29 months would be fantastic for most, esp if one plans to change employers and may take longer than a year to find the sweet spot. It's been harder and harder to get H1B and even with the visa, you are still very dependent on the employer and have to coordinate jumps with lawyers, employers, etc - somebody is bound to get hurt.

I would say OPT is much better than H1B, esp since you can only get 6 years on H1B unless you can get a Green Card.

kk.iyer · Answer

And yeah, i forgot to mention...I will have used up 4 yrs of my allotted H1B time at matriculation..so this extra time would've been a real boon to someone like me.

Moreover, 29 months is almost 2.5 yrs. Many people repay their MBA loans in 3-5 years. Having the freedom of movement during the initial 2.5 yrs can do wonders....I think

Darden2010 · Answer

ok, but most people from this forum can use this extention based on undergraduate degrees. So this is a good surprise for all the Indian IT people

bb · Answer

That's right, you would not even need to get an H1B or a Work Permit or a Visa (unless you plan to leave). You could work for 2 years and then go for the Master's degree.

As an FYI - this is only for the STEM field (The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

Darden2010 · Answer

soo isn't business considered a science also ?

)) I mean .. I have a "Bachelor's of science in business admin" degree

... so technically I have a science degree huh?

kk.iyer · Answer

not really...i doubt if one can use the OPT from a previous degree (MS etc.) after a graduating from a higher degree...in this case an MBA

Also remember this is ONLY for graduates from US universities. Most people I know, have already used up their OPT soon after their MS degrees. So I doubt if they can even apply for another OPT, if yes they have 12 months and not 29.

Also note that the process is so convoluted that the empoyer who hires an OPT candidate has to also attest that the profile is indeed highly skilled and in shortage. All this through an online system named e-verify.

westsider · Answer

I guess you haven't been following recent supreme court rulings. Apparently the "all men are created equal" clause of the constitution is meant to be interpreted as "All citzens of the united states are created equal". and the part about "rights endowed by creator" meant "rights endowed by creator to US citizens and no one else." Kind of makes sense now that you think about it Me (an American)- bitter and resentful about this ridiculous double standard that makes America look cruel and idiotic to the whole world? Plus, it isn't like these stupid rules have made life difficult for me and my non-citizen wife and her family.... oh, wait.. they HAVE!!!

Darden2010 · Answer

oh well... all of us international Top 10 school MBA graduates will just have to move to another country that will appreciate us more

kk.iyer · Answer

Read MBA provision under the UK HSMP.... https://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workin ... ssessment/ I had ensured that each school I had applied to was on their list..always need a plan B.... :lol:

dosa_don · Answer

that sux but it does matter for me anyways (I think). I used up my OPT (though only 3 months) when I did my MS- so I would have to get on a H1 right away post-MBA.

KK- are attending UCLA or Duke btw?

kk.iyer · Answer

I wish one of the schools made it really easy for me and gave me some $$ :lol:

At this point I have my options open and am leaning towards one more than the other... I also managed to get a deadline extension (one week) out of UCLA this morning.... I cannot make a decision on UCLA if they don't tell me anything about $$ if any. At this point, I just want an answer money/no money.... I guess I'll be waiting till the very end to send in my deposit to Duke with high hopes that I'll know something more about UCLA by then.... How about you? All set on Ross? I thought Duke gave you some money...not worth considering?

Darden2010 · Answer

hmmm I am sorry to crush your world, but the MBA provision under UK HSMP was removed in February

https://www.workpermit.com/news/2008-02- ... bruary.htm

dosa_don · Answer

I wish- I have no $'s from either Duke or Ross. Have you joined the Duke yahoo groups for Desi admits? It is pretty informative and I was really impressed that 3-4 desis were going into S & T and equity research jobs. You should check it out if you have not already.

parsifal · Answer

Guys, am a little lost (in the confounding semantics of the laws)
Here is what I understand:
1. STEM graduates have 29 months OPT
2. If you have done Masters in USA and have used 3 months of OPT after that, then post-MBA you will have 9 months
3. If you have done Masters in USA have used 20 months of OPT, then after post-MBA you will have no OPT??????

Is CPT too deductible from previous degree?

kk.iyer · Answer

Hmmm...that sure is a damper... but then...the Tier 1 has been rolled out for Indians already...so that's good news. I just used the points calculator on that website....and thankfully I qualify :lol:

So plan B stays exactly that....

kk.iyer · Answer

Based on what I know...I think that you are eligible for only one OPT at each degree level...you better confirm if OPT is on a per degree basis (OPTs for both MBA and MS) or otherwise. One thing i do know is that you cannot use part of your OPT and then the second part separately. If your initial OPT says 12 months but you use only three months you lose the remaining nine... This might be helpful... 103-t61051

nurik · Answer

Thanks to bot, that's actually a pretty relevant topic! I believe the latest announcement about OPT only affected those MBAs who already had a STEM degree. 
I was wondering, is it common for the international students who did not receive an H1B to transfer to an international office of the US firm, and then come back on L1 a year later?

MBA's not eligible for OPT extensions....

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