I applied OPT last summer as an international student. But then I found that I couldn't graduate on time. Therefore, I asked the ISSO to cancel the OPT through USCIS.
After waiting for 5 months, I was told by ISSO that my OPT couldn't be cancelled any more since it had been issued.
I feel very innocent as I contacted ISSO immediately after knowing that my graduation date would be postponed.
What should I do then? Push ISSO harder?

1/31/2013 9:04:12 PM

FYI ITT, OPT means Optional Practical Training, which allows foreign students to work for a while without needing to get an H1-B visa, and USCIS means United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, and ISSO is the International Students and Scholars Office at a university: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optional_Practical_Training

1/31/2013 9:25:39 PM

Most ppl on this board don't know this probably. Thanks for the hints.

1/31/2013 9:27:28 PM

I have paid 400 bucks for the application fee. After cancellation, the money is in their pockets already. But they feel not enough

1/31/2013 9:33:16 PM

It's not their problem your plans changed.

1/31/2013 9:37:25 PM

But I have told the USCIS through ISSO early. Why is the regulation so rigid?

1/31/2013 9:40:33 PM

Quote :

"Can I change my OPT dates or cancel OPT if I do not get a job? Once your application has been received by USCIS, ISS cannot cancel or change your OPT dates for you. If you want to try to withdraw your OPT application after you have sent it to USCIS, you will need to submit a written request to them directly. Please consult with ISS for more information. We advise that you carefully choose your dates and consider your job prospects before applying for OPT, since canceling your application may be difficult or impossible to do. An unexpected delay in completing degree requirements, inability to find an appropriate job or loss of a job does not allow you to take back or adjust practical training authorization even if this means you will lose time when you would otherwise have been eligible to work under Optional Practical Training."

http://www.lru.edu/UserFiles/Documents/ISS/OPT%20Frequently%20Asked%20Questions%2005-12-2008.pdf

Also i used to check this website for visa related questions

http://forum.murthy.com/

2/1/2013 10:04:58 AM

The thing is, I started contacting with ISSO the very first day I knew I needed to cancel it and worked with them closely. I may need to refer for more help.

2/1/2013 10:39:04 AM

Quote :

"I was told by ISSO that my OPT couldn't be cancelled any more since it had been issued."

[/thread]

2/1/2013 10:46:00 AM

OK. I was told by ISSO that my OPT couldn't be cancelled since it had been issued.

2/1/2013 10:54:01 AM

yeah read what i posted above

Quote :

"If you want to try to withdraw your OPT application after you have sent it to USCIS, you will need to submit a written request to them directly."

2/1/2013 10:55:46 AM

I worked closely with ISSO. They said they had the right to do it for me. I couldn't contact USCIS directly. Therefore, I sent them everything I had and they requested, including the receipt of application and the EAD card after I got it.
I did exactly what they told me to do.

[Edited on February 1, 2013 at 11:06 AM. Reason : ;]

2/1/2013 11:05:21 AM

Quote :

"It's not their problem your plans changed."

2/1/2013 11:10:45 AM

But they also mention what to do after my plan change. They give me guidance already. And I follow their words.
I don't see anything wrong with what I have done.

2/1/2013 11:18:25 AM

Obama just released a new policy about immigration this Tuesday. Hope they can make some changes about this issue.

2/1/2013 11:20:14 AM

So many things come up together with me, OPT, course work, job hunting, baby, ILs....
Life is not easy.

2/1/2013 11:25:14 AM

Welcome to America!

2/1/2013 12:01:06 PM

Yea you know me

2/1/2013 12:47:17 PM

Quote :

"Why is the regulation so rigid?"

Because it's a regulation.

2/1/2013 3:28:41 PM

But it also provides solution about exceptions like graduation date delaying.

2/1/2013 4:15:41 PM

No, it doesn't.

Quote :

"An unexpected delay in completing degree requirements, inability to find an appropriate job or loss of a job does not allow you to take back or adjust practical training authorization"

2/1/2013 4:54:41 PM

It's difficult but still possible.

2/1/2013 4:59:22 PM

Quote :

"canceling your application may be difficult or impossible to do"

2/1/2013 5:03:34 PM

Or

2/1/2013 5:13:45 PM

|| != &&

2/1/2013 5:43:09 PM

It can be difficult or impossible.

In your case, it looks like it's impossible.

Sorry, Dusty.

2/1/2013 5:56:51 PM

How do you understand this sentence?
could be difficult to do, or even impossible to do, right?

2/1/2013 5:57:03 PM

Why is my case impossible? You are kidding me.

2/1/2013 5:58:12 PM

So are you going to get deported?

2/1/2013 6:48:26 PM

No. If I get deported, I'll write a letter to obama, letting him know this is unfair and discriminating for foreigners.

2/1/2013 7:41:19 PM

Are you sure he'd understand you?

2/1/2013 8:23:40 PM

Why not? He just approved an immigration policy this Tue.

2/1/2013 8:31:12 PM

AHA @ BigHitSunday

2/2/2013 2:28:14 AM

Start a petition here https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/, the White House will answer after 100,000 signatures!

[Edited on February 2, 2013 at 3:54 PM. Reason : 1]

2/2/2013 3:50:20 PM

Giving a speech on broad policy ideas is a long cry from congress passing legislation, and anything he supports, the House tends to oppose. I expect any immigration policy changes will be smaller than most expect, happen months down the road, and even then have an even later activation date for the legislation. Good luck with your situation though!

2/2/2013 9:00:36 PM

Quote :

"No. If I get deported, I'll write a letter to obama, letting him know this is unfair and discriminating for foreigners."

This cat can't be serious, right?

[Edited on February 2, 2013 at 11:49 PM. Reason : Write a letter to Superman to have him end the nuclear weapons program while you're at it.]

2/2/2013 11:49:08 PM

Obama doesn't have the kind of power in America that Xí Jìnpíng has in China.

2/3/2013 12:49:14 AM

Well, then I need to talk to the congress.
You know Xi? You surprise me.

2/3/2013 1:06:52 AM

The members of Congress all hate each other, and are too busy taking funds from lobbyists to listen to regular people.

2/3/2013 2:25:37 AM

is this guy for real? this shit needs to be moved to chit chat.

2/3/2013 8:14:53 AM

Quote :

"No. If I get deported, I'll write a letter to obama, letting him know this is unfair and discriminating for foreigners."

And I guarantee you the post office will deliver it.

2/3/2013 1:40:12 PM

Why do you need to cancel OPT?

2/3/2013 3:25:28 PM

I applied OPT last summer as an international student. But then I found that I couldn't graduate on time. Therefore, I asked the ISSO to cancel the OPT through USCIS.

2/3/2013 7:36:25 PM

won't the OPT allow you to stay in the country and get a part-time job if you want?

2/3/2013 8:50:49 PM

Well, it has a limitation for 90 days. So if I don't cancel it, I need to find a job by March, 26th.

2/3/2013 8:53:32 PM

You should get a job officiating youth basketball games

2/3/2013 8:55:11 PM

But yes, I can try that. There are still about 50 days left. I can start from part-time job first. I don't have to complete the current degree actually. This is my third master already.

2/3/2013 8:56:16 PM

I don't have the license. Basketball is just my hobby so far.

2/3/2013 8:58:45 PM

The ISSO has agreed to submitted another request to USCIS after I show them that I have requested cancellation before the OPT was approved.

2/4/2013 11:02:40 AM

I'm gonna use a lawyer. But the estimated cost is 1k at least.

2/8/2013 4:40:58 PM