I’m a Master’s student in OPT Ext working fulltime. What will be my situation if I don’t get selected in the lottery process? My OPT expires on Oct 3rd, 2013. Is there any options to continue working and to stay here in US?. If so, how long can I stay/work here?. I would like to know my options and I appreciate your replies & suggestions. Thanks in advance!!.
If you are on regular OPT you can go for a STEM OPT if your company is enrolled in e-verify. Other options are going back to school in the fall of 2013 for which you would have to leave your job few months early to resume studies.
If your company is not enrolled for e-verify, request them to do it now. It is free. Then you will be eligible for STEM Extension of OPT for another 17 Months, if applicable to your area of specialization. Pls note that even if you enroll for another course of study after expiry of your OPT, you will not get EAD for OPT again for the new course. It is available only once for all the Degrees that you earn.