How do I make income in anticipated unemployment gap?
Backstory : originally on F-1 STEM OPT. Wife and I got married and are filing required work permit / green card documents. STEM OPT ends in may 2021. Current Job: Portland, OR. Mechanical Design Engineer, 81K TC with 100% match on 8% of Salary for 401K + additional company match of 3%. Situation: I’m setting myself to face the reality that with my OPT expiring in May and the likelihood that my H-1B may not be selected at final attempt. I might be unemployed for a few months with the way USCIS seems backlogged. I expect I will be able to get my job back almost automatically, once my work permit is approved. However, I’m trying to make sure I am financially sound even with this anticipated loss in employment temporarily. I would rather not dip into my savings and set myself back on my financial goals, so I’m thinking of how to replace my anticipated loss in income. A part of me is looking for a freelance ME role but those are hard to come by in this field. Any suggestions for how to prepare for this expected break in income?
Pizzahut
OP, do you mean your STEM OPT ends in May 2022 because May 2021 is in the past already? Also, what stage is your green card application at? My STEM OPT also expires May 2022 and my green card (485/765) was submitted last month. As far as I know, once your STEM OPT expires, you can legally stay in the US since your GC application is pending but you cannot work except your GC EAD has been approved.
Totally meant 2022. Thanks for the catch Naira Marley. My 485/765 were submitted last week. Yeah I’m not too worried about immigration status, just doing some financial planning. Comforting there’s someone else in similar shoes. Would love to hear your plans / outlook
Not much plans. Will try for h1b last attempt and I have Canadian Express Entry in process too but I'd rather be here because my hubby is schooling here too. I believe if my company has to wait a few months for me while I wait for EAD or GC, they will. Hoping processing is fast though.
Uber