Disclaimer: The contents in this web site are only for your information and are not intended to be legal advice. While many of our applicants successfully obtain their I-140 approvals, the information here should not be considered as a guarantee of your green card application outcome.
OPT transfer to J-1 & NIW application
Published Dec 2,2021
By Ming
Hello,
First I want to say it’s wonderful to fine this website.
I am originally come from China, currently doing postdoc. This is my last year of OPT extension, which will ends August 2022. I am planning to apply NIW early next year, and Eb1a later if possible.
A complicated part for my current situation is that I was just informed that the department will only switch me to J-1 visa even my P.I. agreed for H1B. And it seems like that it will take about 9-12 month for J-1 to be approved if I transfer visa inside the US. So, I was wondering
1, if J-1 has not been approved but my opt ends, can I stay in US, or I have to leave?
2, How long can I apply J-1 wavier after it is approved?
3, Can I apply NIW before got J-1 wavier? What will affect the application if J-1 has not been waived?
4, Can I apply NIW and J-1 at the same time?
5, If I cannot go back to China to apply J-1 (currently very hard because of COVID), what do you think it’s the best way to manage it?
Thanks a lot!
Ming
Posted in niw
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2 years ago
Hi Ming,
1) If your status expires, you cannot stay in the U.S.
2) Not sure if I understood this question, could you elaborate?
3) You can file I-140 without J1 waiver. However, you will need the waiver to file I-485.
4) You should not apply for NIW and J1 simultaneously as this may create a conflict of intents (immigrant vs nonimmigrant)
5) Even if your I-140 is approved (may take several months), you may likely have to wait 3 years before filing I-485, see the visa bulletin, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2022/visa-bulletin-for-december-2021.html
In the meantime, you have to maintain your status in the U.S. in order to stay here legally. I think the best course of action is to explain to your department and your PI that they need to figure a solution, if they want you to work for them.
Disclaimer: The contents in this web site are only for your information and are not intended to be legal advice. While many of our applicants successfully obtain their I-140 approvals, the information here should not be considered as a guarantee of your green card application outcome.
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Hi Ming,
1) If your status expires, you cannot stay in the U.S.
2) Not sure if I understood this question, could you elaborate?
3) You can file I-140 without J1 waiver. However, you will need the waiver to file I-485.
4) You should not apply for NIW and J1 simultaneously as this may create a conflict of intents (immigrant vs nonimmigrant)
5) Even if your I-140 is approved (may take several months), you may likely have to wait 3 years before filing I-485, see the visa bulletin, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2022/visa-bulletin-for-december-2021.html
In the meantime, you have to maintain your status in the U.S. in order to stay here legally. I think the best course of action is to explain to your department and your PI that they need to figure a solution, if they want you to work for them.