CPT while waiting for OPT

[karrygoogle]

Hello...

 

My wife is finishing her Master's this Spring (May 2014). She has a job offer from a firm here in Dallas. Her OPT is slated to start somewhere to the end of May. She tried to apply for her CPT for the period in between and her advisor had suggested that she couldn't take up her CPT (or any kind of 'paid' employment) until she receives her OPT card.

 

Is this completely accurate? What other options does she have in order to start working.

This is an opportunity we cant let go of since we have been away from each other for a long time. 

Can she work voluntarily if needed or is there a better alternative?

 

Any suggestions are appreciated and are most welcome.

 

Thanks

 

[rahul412]

 

 

My wife is finishing her Master's this Spring (May 2014). She has a job offer from a firm here in Dallas. Her OPT is slated to start somewhere to the end of May. She tried to apply for her CPT for the period in between and her advisor had suggested that she couldn't take up her CPT (or any kind of 'paid' employment) until she receives her OPT card.

 

Is this completely accurate? What other options does she have in order to start working.

This is an opportunity we cant let go of since we have been away from each other for a long time. 

Can she work voluntarily if needed or is there a better alternative?

She can't take CPT for FTE. CPT has to be part of her F1 program.

Wait till her OPT starts.

[jairichi]

Hello...

 

My wife is finishing her Master's this Spring (May 2014). She has a job offer from a firm here in Dallas. Her OPT is slated to start somewhere to the end of May. She tried to apply for her CPT for the period in between and her advisor had suggested that she couldn't take up her CPT (or any kind of 'paid' employment) until she receives her OPT card.

 

Is this completely accurate? What other options does she have in order to start working.

This is an opportunity we cant let go of since we have been away from each other for a long time. 

Can she work voluntarily if needed or is there a better alternative?

 

Any suggestions are appreciated and are most welcome.

 

Thanks

Nope, she has to wait for OPT approval to start working. Working on CPT will be saying good bye to her career in US.

[t75]

Since she does not graduate until May, She has obligations at he current location and needs to remain there. What is she trying to accomplish?

 

CPT is ONLY as part of an approved curriculum and not just randomly working. There is no "volunteering" in what is a normally paid position.

 

If you did not want to live apart, you should have planned better. Your desire for her to move to be with you does not give her any right for special consideration or a reason to violate work rules for guest workers and students.

A US degree was NEVER a guarantee of a job in the US. If the employer will not wait, she needs to look for another employer.

[skc40]

Since, your wife is graduating this semester (May 2014), her I20 should reflect CPT expiration date, which would be the last day of spring semester. After that, her option is to work on OPT (On or after OPT start date)Since, your wife will not have legal documents to prove that she can work after CPT expiration date and before OPT start date, the only legal option is to wait until OPT arrives and use it for employment. 

[JoeF]

She has to wait for the OPT to be approved. CPT is not possible because CPT is only for work required for the curriculum.

She can NOT volunteer for the company.