OPT and Second Master's?

Question

Can You please help me with my situation?

Last year I have applied to OPT but after several tries for job hunting, I could not be able to find neither internship nor job. But At the same time I was successfully admitted to second Master's. So I was wondering if I can apply for OPT and EAC one more time. The Employment Authorization Card that I hold is still valid till August, 2008. However I have never used it for employment purposes.

Did anybody have situations like this? Is it possible to find the way to solve this problem?

Appreiciate Your Answers

Answer 1

One year of OPT is allowed per degree level.

If you came to US for a BS degree, then you could get 1 year of OPT after BS then 1 yr after MS/MBA then 1 year after PhD. Getting a Masters degree twice or thrice does not extend 1 yr of quota at the Master's level. Consult a immigration attorney and immediately get your current OPT cancelled. You may be able to request a backdated cancellation, since you were a full-time student. Then you will definitely get a new OPT for the unused duration after your current MS degree program.

Example: If your current OPT is cancelled after 8 months, you have a right to get a 4 months of OPT after your second Masters.

Good Luck.