My company filed my H1-B this year. My initial OPT expires in June. My company’s law firm is not ready to apply for my STEM-OPT now. They want to wait till my H1-B application is rejected by June or picked by then. In case my H1-B is picked, they wouldn’t apply for STEM-OPT. I fear that in case my H1-B isn’t approved quickly then, is it okay to apply for STEM-OPT after my initial OPT expires, i.e., during H1-B cap gap period. What should I tell my law firm about this. I feel I’m strangling to risk my visa status here. Your inputs are appreciated 🙂
As far as i know, stem opt does not require a law firm to file. You can always file it yourself, which I did back in 2015
STEM OPT application is something you do yourself. Why is your company’s law firm telling you what to do? Just work with your university int’l office and get a new I20 and apply yourself. Not applying is a definite risk because of lottery and increasing % of H1-B rejections.
I think we need Manager’s signature for stem opt docs and without Fragomen initiating the case, Intel Managers won’t do much
Looks like Fragomen is kind of saving money for intel by risking your career. Remember, it’s just going to be a mere case for fragomen if they lose one in thousands but for you it’s your entire career...I’ll suggest see talking o the HR if you aren’t convinced with Fragomen
I’m with fragomen too and got similar response. Really pissed atm.
Last year, my H1B got picked but got rejected eventually. Luckily, I have my stem opt filed before they picked up my h1b. So no further damages. Finger crossed for this year.
Did you apply for STEM-OPT after H1-B decision ?
Nope, my stem files was mailed out by the end of April, before I was noticed USCIS picked up my h1b petition early May. But my stem opt was approved in mid July and that is after I got RFE and rejected in mid June. OPT and H1b are totally separate stuffs, also you are paying the opt application fee yourself. Go talk to you manager, get his/her signature, and the rest you can manage it yourself easily. You don't have to deal with those nonsense Paralegal crap on this issue if they don't want to cooperate.