Work VisaDec 27, 2019
Ciscowassuuuupp

Best time to switch jobs during OPT

Hello, I have couple of phone interviews scheduled in January and was wondering if it is too late for job switching. I am on OPT and applying for H1 this year with my current company and cannot miss this year's lottery. How does the timeline look for me? Should I wait to interview/switch after H1 results?

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Discover Financial Services qwerty-/: Dec 27, 2019

You need to at least wait till October if h1 gets picked this year. May be switch before April 1st and ask the new company to apply for h1

Cisco lolol2 Jan 2, 2020

That's sounds right. A minor correction, try joining the new company before Mar 15. That's usually the internal deadline to submit relevant docs for H1B

Cerner busybro Dec 27, 2019

Don't make the same mistake I did, switch whenever you feel like you should. OPT is the best immigration status (relevant to you), other than H4 to move jobs at will. Other than that, what discover said above is true and correct.

Reliable Software Sugoidesu Dec 27, 2019

I second this as well

Cisco dadb84 Jan 2, 2020

I switched in Feb while I was on OPT and my new employer filled H1 un April

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Cerner busybro Jan 2, 2020

I don't think you can, also, your immigration status will change to a cap-gap extension (which, I believe, is somehow tied to your current employer) and your sevis would have been terminated, so, basically, you are stuck with your employer if your H1-B is approved until your H1-B becomes active on the 1st of October.

Cisco rabbit 6 Jan 3, 2020

No. You can definitely change job. There can be multiple H1B applications in flight.