bulgarian, grad student in US, job offer

[irina_ten]

Hi, I have been in the US for 8 years now (5 as an undergraduate student, 2 getting my Master's, and currently in my second year in a PhD program at the University of Iowa). I have been called for an interview by a high school in Alabama concerning a teaching positon they have open starting January. Is it even legally possible for me to take the job? They have been looking for someone to fill that position for quite a while now. Right now they have a (not even qualified) substitute.

Thanks in advance for your help,
Irina Teneva

 

[usdeeper]

Yes you can take the job... but they will have to sponsor you in some way.. either they, or you will have to discuss it with an immigration attorney to see what visa you currently are on, what are the limitations of that visa and what needs to be done to switch to a full working visa.

 

[irina_teneva]

Thank you for the reply! Since my last post, I have been officially offered the job. Unfortunately, the employer knows nothing about the immigration issues, so it is up to me to find a lawyer who can handle my case. This has not been easy since I am not in Alabama right now. This is just a shot in the dark, but I thought I'd ask anyway. After getting my undergraduate degree, I applied for optional practical training - a one-year work permit of which I only used three months. Is it possible to apply for another one at this point? I am not sure how long it could take to get a work visa, and the high school can only hold the position for me until January. By the way, I hold an F-1 visa right now.

Thanks,
Irina

 

[CY]

First of all, where are you now? It's easier if you are in the US.

Once you applied for a practical training, no matter if you used all the time or 3 months. It's over.. And, it's only a one time thing, unless you've left the US after your 1st or 2nd degree and re-apply your visa to come to US again..

A work visa can take anywhere from 45-90 days. As long as your F-1 status is valid, you should be fine applying for work visa. So, you still have almost 4 months to obtain an H1-B visa, you should be alright.

Congrads on the job offer!

CY

 

[irina_t]

Are you sure about that??? I mean, that it shouldn't take more than 90 days. This is great news, but it means I need to talk to another lawyer, because the one I have now is saying that it's impossible to get things done by January. Yes, I am in the states. In my second year in the PhD program at the University of Iowa. As for the practical training, I did go back to Bulgaria this past May, and had to have a new visa issued. Does that count? If so, and if it takes less time to get that permit, would it be wise to go for it? What do you think I should do? Oh, God, I had given up on this working out. You've given me hope again.

Irina

 

[CY]

Don't give up, immigration stuffs are always driving people crazy! Just take it easy..

I remeber a student advisor at the international student office has told me.. If you go back to your home country and get a new visa issued for a new program, you supposingly can get another year of practical training again. Again, I'm not a lawyer, I can't guarantee that, but I'm sure that she told me about this!

Anyhow, since it still earlier (new quotas came out on October 2000, and it usually runs out in March) so there should be quotas left for H1-B visas. Just put in your application as soon as you can coz filling out application can take up to couple weeks, going back and forth between you, the lawyer, and your employer. It shouldn't take more than 90 days for the processing time though. But again, nothing in the world can be guaranteed, right? Especially you're talking about paperwork! But it definitely worth to try. I have a friend of mine put in her application in late July, she got a reply back on late Sept. So, it's about 2 months worth of wait.

You should definitely talk to another lawyer about the H1-B issue first, or else, ask him/her about the practical training option.

Good Luck!
CY

 

[CY]

Questions? Go to www.h1bsponsors.com, you'll have a better picture of what I'm talking about! CY