TC : 350k USD YOE : 4.5 (almost). Context : I was against this idea because I didn't see the point of spending thousands to stay desperately for another H1b attempt on lottery again. It's a stupid system to pick talent based on lottery but it seems like it might be wage based next year, in which case I'm almost guaranteed to get it. Stem OPT expires on July 1st 2021 and might try to avail the 60 day grace period to extend my stay(but cannot work during that time, even remotely) It was also pointless to study something you're not interested in from a no name shady university when you've already graduated from a Top 10 university with an MS in CS, focusing on AI. I was okay with going back to India and maybe trying for L1 or waiting for second lottery or maybe doing a PhD in a year. But the covid situation is so heartbreaking and terrible at the moment unlike when I made a decision few months ago, when my last attempt didn't get picked and I don't want to risk it now for the sake of my family's health in India and my own. Due to travel ban even if I get picked in second lottery I won't be able to come back. L1 is not guaranteed because of constant reorgs and focus on adding more jobs in India. Even though I have full support of managers and higher ups, they may not be around by a year and half I spoke to few immigration lawyers and from everything they said this day 1 cpt seems like the only option. Am I too late? How do I proceed with this? Would appreciate any help on this matter. I don't mind risking some future chance on H1 or GC. I'll probably reach my FIRE goals. I just don't want to risk going to India at the moment. Any suggestions about how to go through this process or which universities and courses to consider for a DS/MLE would be very helpful. Researching on blind, I see Harrisburg, Westcliff and Cumberlands. I can handle studying while working since I'm already doing multiple online courses. Will finish a 2 year course if I start from the cpt thing so as to not cause problems later. Canada was not possible when I spoke to the immigration at work. Don't want to switch jobs at the moment #covid-19 #india #h1b #travel #day1cpt #workvisa
I would consider moving to Canada/EU/Japan/Singapore for a year and then come back using L1
Those options were not possible in my case. It was either go to India and come on L1 or do cpt and stay. I was okay with former before but now given the timeline I'm reconsidering this option.
Try express entry PR in Canada
How long does it take and how much it will cost?
Taking way more than a year right now, FYI (I'm in queue). Your best option is an L1, or moving to Canada / UK / similar on a work permit. The year wait is including the time it needs to prep all documents, FYI. Historical processing times were around 6-9 months in the last 2 years or so for external skilled worker applications. Check the forum canadavisa or similar for info here.
wait 4 yoe and 350k at walmart seems impossible
At least your company is allowing Day1 cpt! But yeah, it's a real joke. Studying in a top 10 university, and it doesn't matter cos you still lose in the lottery to someone who did a namesake masters
Correction: you still lose to someone who did 10 registrations instead of 1.
DM me if you have any questions. I’ve been thru similar situations and did extensive research on this
Day 1 CPT is illegal. Looks like your journey is over.
Yeah I didn't mind that part. I would have waited for L1 or done a PhD down the line but it's the timing of going back to India now. Is it illegal in general? It should be if the university is completely fake without any faculty or courses or accredition status and is just printing documentation to let you stay (which I am obviously not going to risk) but if it is a legit university with course curriculum, I heard it's about the intent. If it seems like you're just using it to prolong your stay to keep working without studying, then it's a problem(for instance dropping it midway immediately upon getting picked for H1) , but if you're actually doing the Coursework and getting a degree properly, it should be fine right. As long as you complete it, it shows you intended to study, but if you drop it the moment you get H1 then it might raise flags. This is what I understood from reading on multiple posts
Umm... isn’t this fraud? Most companies are phasing CPT out because of shady schools that are basically CPT stamp factories 🙄
Seems like some are legitimate loopholes and some are frauds but those are a bit obvious because the whole university is fake. I'm trying for thr loophole thing where people seemed to have had no issues over the years and actually do finish those courses and get a proper degree. For me it's more about the covid scare. I don't mind having a 50-50 gamble on some future immigration issue as opposed to going to India in the state it is right now. If it gets better somehow by July or August I won't mind just leaving, but if it gets worse I want to have some back up option in play that let's me stay and continue my work and study. So I have to start looking into it from now itself. I feel I'm already late though because I never wanted to consider this before
I did day 1 CPT after three failed attempts to get my H1B. Got it on my 4th try. While people just submit ~10 H1b applications and win the lottery easily. You can try this next time.
Hi, thanks for your response. Congrats on getting your H1 picked. You must have been in this dilemma before. Can I dm you with some questions to get a better idea of how to proceed?
@Amazon Did you get an rfe and did you complete the degree after getting H1B?
Given that you don't want to go to India and staying in US is difficult, i think a very good option will be to try UK. Although that's a personal decision. I would definitely not recommend another masters though.
Yeah. I don't really want to study again because I've been doing so many online courses in the past 3 years and covered most stuff I wanted to learn. I'd rather do PhD than second masters but for now I want to keep working for a while. The second lottery round thing and wage based rule is holding up the decision to give up on H1. If there was closure I don't mind just going to India and working there for a whole. Packages are good there too but the whole covid thing is daunting. I've been a shut in even here for the past 2 years so quarantine life suits me lol. I've become too risk averse now in terms of going out or travelling
Since you already have 3 months or so in US, by that time covid situation will normalise in India (its 2nd wave so 1-2 months).
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With the money you spent on CPT for 1 year, you might as well get a legit MS (perhaps a second one) in Canada that gives you PR after graduation. So I never understand why would anyone do day 1 CPT.
Transfer to Canada wasn't possible and my team has people in India. So it would be relocation basically. I like my work and the team here and have few papers pending publishing to build my profile for PhD someday. Didn't want to quit working at the moment so that I have sufficient money for emergencies. Rest is tied up in investments and crypto and won't pull them out anytime soon.
OP, I’m not asking you to transfer to Canada, but rather to be a student there. You have your priority I respect it. But a CAN master only costs less than 60K USD. (Maximum, for 2 years, all costs combined) That’s basically a CPT MS. I know many people who prioritize GC over money would go this route. And you need to think carefully.