Getting an Optional Practical Training (OPT) work permit after completing your degree is a major lifeline for international students in the USA. It allows them to work in a job related to their field for up to 12 months after graduation.
While the current landscape has made it hard for OPT workers to get a job, it is even more brutal when a student doesn’t even get a work permit in the first place.
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The fiancée of an F-1 student gave details about her partner on social media. According to her, his GPA dropped below 3.0 after the second semester. As the university had a strict policy, an advisor told them to either transfer or go home and reapply later.
Soon, he got admitted to another university and transferred his SEVIS. He even paid the SEVIS fee again but apparently, this has turned out to be a fatal mistake.
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When he completed the program and applied for OPT the USCIS responded with 5 RFE questions. While everyone was answered on time, the F-1 student met with a rejection after 3 months.
The USCIS says his SEVIS transfer wasn’t done in a “timely manner.” However, netizens believe that the transfer wasn’t done at all and they just paid for a separate SEVIS entry.
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If the original SEVIS was terminated due to failure to maintain status, and a new ID was created, then USCIS sees that as a break and that spells disaster when applying for OPT.
If you’re planning a university transfer, especially after academic issues, it is best to get expert advice in order to avoid such errors. One mistake in timing or status maintenance can cost you your OPT, and possibly your stay in the US altogether.
