H1B to F1 back to H1B

[proem]

Hi everyone, apologies if this has been discussed before, first time posting here. I currently have 2/6 years left on my h1b and I got admitted to a STEM eligible masters program at a top US univeristy on the west coast. Can someone please advise on the below questions? Assuming no changes to current visa rules

1. Will I not have to go through the lottery again (for a minimum of 2 years)?

2. After graduating with my MS, can I use the 3 year OPT for STEM in any meaningful way? In other words will I have a total 5 years before I need to worry about renewing visa (3 under OPT + 2 still pending)

3. Do wage laws significantly differ during OPT vs H1B? Can I still switch companies while under OPT ? Do Silicon valley companies look at OPT employees differently?

 

Thanks!

[JoeF]

You would be demeanor for an H1 after your studies.

If you haven't used OPT for a US Master's degree before, you are eligible for OPT and the OPT STEM extension.

There is no prevailing wage requirement for OPT (at least not at this point), and you can change companies with OPT.

How companies look at you would depend on the quality of your work.

[proem]

Hi JoeF, thanks for the quick response. I apologize but I wanted to clarify the below. Sounds like the answer is yes, but just wanted to confirm if I read your response correctly-

This would be my first time going to grad school in the US, so sounds like I can take up an OPT and extend it, using a total of 3 years without having to start running the clock on the reminder of my H1B?

Thanks for clarifying the OPT wages question. My main concern was that if I'm bound to one company during OPT, my wages 'might' take a hit for the 3 years, i.e there's a chance these big tech companies could underpay me and get away with it.

Can you please confirm regarding the second question (the second paragraph from the top  above in my reply here)?

[JoeF]

Sorry, typo in my original answer (phone autocorrect...) I meant to say you would be cap-exempt.

And yes, you can get OPT and the OPT STEM extension.