I am recent graduate with  a PhD degree and am in OPT and my OPT will expire in next few months. MY PHD degree is not qualified for STEM to extend my OPT.  I am working in a corporate job now and have filed for H1B but have not received any approval receipt yet. In case my H1B does not get approved what should I do? I have been applying for noncorporate jobs which does not require H1B cap limits, but no luck yet. I have huge student loans, which won't be paid off from what I make  from my current job. So please suggest me on the following:

1.  What is the best way to find non-corporate jobs in next couple of months so that I can get H1B sponsor? Getting a job in higher education institution or NGOs is the only way to get H1B. May be I am not using a right job hunt tool.. please suggest me guys who have job hunt experience with PHD degree.

2. I don't want to go back to grad school I spend so much time, effort and money for my PhD. I am neither in a position to go back to Nepal nor apply for PR in Canada, because I have huge credit card debt.

3. Can I be eligible to apply for EB2 directly by myself? I know it is gonna take long time..

4. So only the best option is I must get a job in higher education or NGOs.

PLease help with your suggestions! Thanks

Jitamba,

I understand your situation and have respect for it. Pls indicate what field you belong to and what type of corporate job you are working at this time?? To get accurate and precise solution to your queries, I think it would be better to consult an immigration attorney. Also, it would be in your best interest to apply for Canadian PR. As you know, you are in a very good chance to get it. Regarding the financial difficulty you are having right now, you can also solve that by migrating to Canada, if not remaining here in the US. In Canada, atleast you can work and don't have to go to college for something, which you may not want to do.

Good Luck brother!

Hi, After MS I joined Ph.D. Things did not work out well with my advisor. Now I am in Kathmandu. Where and how can I look for job in US or Canada in my field. I also happen to have some education and credit card debt I have to take care of. Thanks. bkb

HappyFace,

Thank you for your kind words and suggestions. It is really frustrating. I am working as a data analyst  and my PhD is in enviromental science. I know I may need to consider PR in Canada, but when I see those nocanada.com and other discouraging evidences of difficulty in finding jobs even for PHDs, I feel like I should not consider applying for Canada at the moment and just focus more on jobs here in the US.

Also, I have credit card debts (but I have very good credit score), it may also effect my eligibility for Canada, I do not know.

Would you suggest still I should consider Candada, if yes how long it will take me to get PR can I get it by the end of this year if I apply in next 2-3 months? Thanks for your time and help.

 

 

Would you suggest a good lawyer and also suggest me how long it would take me to get a PR in Canada if I apply in next two months. Also

Hello Jibatma,
I would like to suggest you to apply immediately to Canadian PR. It will take total of 18 months to complete the process. You have to spend only around 1200- 1500 dollas depending upon your family size. Your credit card debt doesnot matter for Canadian PR. Go a head and apply. If you want any help I can help you regarding this matter.
Regarding the jobs in US, apply as many as you can. I am if you apply more than 200 jobs then you may get one. SO only choice is to apply as many as you can. Qualification only is not the chriteria to get the job. Your and employers interest must be matched.
First I would suggest u to apply Canadian PR.
All the best.

I agree with Gorkhali Jetho. First of, apply immediately for Canadian PR; you can do it yourself without the help of an attorney or you can hire an attorney. I have heard from some people that the process is pretty simple and you being a US PhD holder, it will be easier for you in terms of meeting different requirements and improving your score for the Canadian PR. According to the new Canadian Immigration Rules, it will take anywhere from 1 year to 1 and half yrs for you to get your Canadian PR. Google and check their immigration information for accurate and up-to-date info. If you are seriously thinking abt applying to Canada, you might as well go ahead and perform the FBI check from the US, because the Canada PR process requires this and the FBI check usually takes abt 2 months to complete; so, if you start your FBI check now, you will have every thing ready when they ask for it laer in the process.

Second, apply as many jobs in the US as you can. Trust in the God Almighty and move forward. You will land somewhere. The main thing is, never-ever lose faith in the God and yourself!

Good Luck to you.

PS: If you want to go through attorney for the Canadian PR process, one of the oldest and most popular immigration, who's helped many Nepalese people and who is also in the Canadian Immigration Board is David Cohen. Google his name or something like CanadaImmigration.com and you'll get more info on him.

Hello jibatma:

as many have suggested, i also suggest you to apply for canadian PR as soon as you can.  getting job is tough everywhere, at least you would nt worry about your status once you get your canadian PR.  in the mean time, do not quit applying jobs, you have to apply as many as you can.  but canadian PR is very very good option for anyone who does nt want to go back to nepal. 

regarding attorney to file green card here in usa, being a phd holder, you can apply for green card in EB1 category.  however, you need to have very good recommendation letters from industry and academics.  how many papers did you publish during your PhD.  if you have strong recommendation letter and good number of publication, you may be able to get green card in less than 6 months.  so, i would sugges you to try both and also keep applying jobs.  i know its frustrating and almost everybody goes through this process, very few lucky ones get things easily but most of us have gone through hard times like you have now.  matter of fact, i dont think you are having hard time, if you get your H1b, your problem is solved.  these things come if you dont get one.  good luck.

Jibatma, Env Sci is not under STEM? Could you tell me please?

Look at the list

http://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/nces_cip_codes_rule.pdf

It seems that there are some topics associated with environment science. Consult immigration expert, I think you should be able to get OPT extension. For example-

Environmental Engineering Technology/Environmental Technology.

Environmental Biology.

Conservation Biology.

In my opinion the your name of degree is not required to match exactly, rather they should consider in which field your studies are focuded at. For example what is your research focused on. With your lawayer you can proove your in science area not in art or anything else.

Being PhD you can apply for EB1 (which doesnot require job sponsership) as above stated.

 

I think you will be get a way. Good luck.

 

Regarding Canada PR..go ahead and apply for it right now. In this type of situation, you always have to pursue multiple things simultaneously.

And absolutely NOT necessary to hire any lawyer. I have many friends who have applied and got Canadian PR and nobody ever had to do anything with any lawyer. It's straight forward.

Some info on STEM - for people whose degree does not match directly on the list.

http://www.murthy.com/news/n_stemli.html

MurthyDotCom
My Degree is not on the List
©MurthyDotCom
If a particular degree does not appear on the STEM list, then it is possible to request the additional designation of a particular degree category. A link is available on the ICE WebSite for this purpose. In making the request, it is necessary to specify the CIP code and provide justification for expanding the list. Clearly, it is necessary to show the connection to the STEM category in order for the request to be considered. One should not rely on any anticipated change in the list.
©MurthyDotCom
Conclusion
©MurthyDotCom
Many who hold degrees that fit squarely within the STEM categories will benefit from the F-1 OPT extension provisions. Others, with degrees that may have STEM elements, need to either ensure that their degrees are on the list or request classification, if appropriate. It is important to make NO assumptions as to one's eligibility.

Thank you so much Happyface, Gorkhalijetho, AAAA, Pops, Upendrajee and others for reading my email and for your kind words of support, suggestions and inspirations. As you guys suggested, I should look for all options and pursue multiple plan Bs: (1) Apply as many jobs as possible, (2) Apply PR in Canada, (3) Apply EB1/EB2 Green Card, and trust on Almighty God!

Suggestions I received and Scenarios in case I do not get my current H1B petition approved:

1. Apply as many jobs as possible: I am certainly doing it and have narrowed down to Academic/Non Profits jobs only since my International Student advisor told me that I should not waste my time to apply for Corporate jobs since my degree which had a CPI code ending -9999, does not qualify for STEM category to extend OPT. I appreciate for your (AAA, POPS) information/suggestions- as the type of research work or dissertation/or job you are pursuing matters more to decide whether ones’ degree relates to STEM or NOT. But there is still uncertainty and regulations are still unfolding. So I decided to focus my job applications on Academic/Non profit jobs only. If I get such job, at least I would be able to ask my employer for H1B petition anytime before my OPT expires.

2. Canada PR: I will now start collecting documents as suggested. I have few questions:

a. I have my POLICE report from Nepal dated two years back. Since then I have not visited Nepal. Can I still use the same old report or I need to have a new one from Nepal?  I have not been in Nepal for last two years.

b. I have some credit card debts around $20K. I heard that an applicant should be in a good financial status (0 debt and few savings at least 10K balance in your account) at a time when applying for PR in Canada. Is this true?, if yes I may not be qualified or I need to clear my balance before I apply, right?

c. It will take me another 3 months at least (takes two months for FBI clearance report) to apply PR from the US, and my OPT is expiring in November, and I can stay two additional months (grace period to leave the country) in the US with OPT. In such scenario, I have to leave US and what will happen to my application from the US? Would I be able to get my interview for PR before January 2009, or can I arrange my interview from other country- Nepal/India? A complex scenario…

3. EB1/EB2 category green card application: I have few publications  but relatively my application will not be as strong as others who I have known obtained the Green Card from EB1/EB2 category. You have to make an outstanding contribution to be recognized nationally through numerous publications, research and other inventions. Let’s see even I apply for this in next two months, how long I have to wait to receive a decision on it from DHS, because I have to stay in the US until I hear a decision and I can stay here legally until January 2009.   

I know these are technical questions and pessimistic scenarios (in a condition my H1B visa does not get approved by June 08) but I believe some of you may have gone through such experience or know something about such cases. So please advise me. Also, I would like to talk to a lawyer. Please refer me if you know a good lawyer (experienced Nepali or others) who I can talk about these scenarios. I can pay for whatever they charge hour basis.

Waiting desperately for your kind thoughts and suggestions!

 

 Hello

Please read this thread and help me with your suggestions! I am waiting for your cooperation from those of you who have already read the posts in this thread and have experience in this serious matter!

 

--------------

Thank you so much Happyface, Gorkhalijetho, AAAA, Pops, Upendrajee and others for reading my email and for your kind words of support, suggestions and inspirations. As you guys suggested, I should look for all options and pursue multiple plan Bs: (1) Apply as many jobs as possible, (2) Apply PR in Canada, (3) Apply EB1/EB2 Green Card, and trust on Almighty God!

Suggestions I received and Scenarios in case I do not get my current H1B petition approved:

1. Apply as many jobs as possible: I am certainly doing it and have narrowed down to Academic/Non Profits jobs only since my International Student advisor told me that I should not waste my time to apply for Corporate jobs since my degree which had a CPI code ending -9999, does not qualify for STEM category to extend OPT. I appreciate for your (AAA, POPS) information/suggestions- as the type of research work or dissertation/or job you are pursuing matters more to decide whether ones’ degree relates to STEM or NOT. But there is still uncertainty and regulations are still unfolding. So I decided to focus my job applications on Academic/Non profit jobs only. If I get such job, at least I would be able to ask my employer for H1B petition anytime before my OPT expires.

2. Canada PR: I will now start collecting documents as suggested. I have few questions:

a. I have my POLICE report from Nepal dated two years back. Since then I have not visited Nepal. Can I still use the same old report or I need to have a new one from Nepal?  I have not been in Nepal for last two years.

b. I have some credit card debts around $20K. I heard that an applicant should be in a good financial status (0 debt and few savings at least 10K balance in your account) at a time when applying for PR in Canada. Is this true?, if yes I may not be qualified or I need to clear my balance before I apply, right?

c. It will take me another 3 months at least (takes two months for FBI clearance report) to apply PR from the US, and my OPT is expiring in November, and I can stay two additional months (grace period to leave the country) in the US with OPT. In such scenario, I have to leave US and what will happen to my application from the US? Would I be able to get my interview for PR before January 2009, or can I arrange my interview from other country- Nepal/India? A complex scenario…

3. EB1/EB2 category green card application: I have few publications  but relatively my application will not be as strong as others who I have known obtained the Green Card from EB1/EB2 category. You have to make an outstanding contribution to be recognized nationally through numerous publications, research and other inventions. Let’s see even I apply for this in next two months, how long I have to wait to receive a decision on it from DHS, because I have to stay in the US until I hear a decision and I can stay here legally until January 2009.   

I know these are technical questions and pessimistic scenarios (in a condition my H1B visa does not get approved by June 08) but I believe some of you may have gone through such experience or know something about such cases. So please advise me. Also, I would like to talk to a lawyer. Please refer me if you know a good lawyer (experienced Nepali or others) who I can talk about these scenarios. I can pay for whatever they charge hour basis.

Waiting desperately for your kind thoughts and suggestions!

Hello Jibatma:
I normally don't participate in the sajha blog and I am limited to enjoy reading the otherwise interesting stuffs in here. After having read your posting, I would strongly suggest you to apply for jobs in California. There are plenty of jobs in environmental remediation  consultancies  throughout  Southern California ( petroleum refineries)  and some of them are even screaming for people. I am posting a link of top 200 environmental companies and almost all of them have their branch office in Southern California and I am pretty sure that quite a few have openings for environmental scientists.
http://enr.construction.com/people/topLists/topEnvDesign/topEnv_1-50.asp

Good luck.