F1 - Student Visa?

Question

I'm an international student and have the F1 visa. I just graduated last semester and I'm now on the OPT program. They say I can only stay in the country for a year with the OPT..after that I have to go back home. Is that true??Is there any chance I can stay in the country??

Answer 1

this is true.  unless you apply for a higher degree such as a masters or phd (depending w/ what you just graduated with).. to extend your F-1 visa....

another option is to apply for an h1b visa by next april.  (w/ this, you would have to find an employer that is wiling to sponsor you).... and the government does carry a quota every year (about 60,000 or so for bachelors, and an additional 20,000 if you have a masters degree or higher..)...so from my understanding, they select people by a lottery system...

or you could do what my friend did, she already had her masters degree, but unfortunately did not get selected to get an h1b visa...she went to her  local junior college (jc), spoke w/ an international student advisor, and got an I-20 with the jc with a new major that was not her major for bachelors nor masters degree.  she attended the jc for about a year until she applied for the h1b visa the next april and got it this time...so try it with your local jc...it worked for her!  

or the last option is to get married...good luck!