COVID-19 delayed employment start date impact on F-1 visa students on OPT Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hi all,

I'm an international student on F-1 visa. I was selected for H1-B visa this year, but regardless, I need to start my employment in mid-October in order to legally remain in the United States.
Kirkland & Ellis has not yet released their employment start date, and I'm concerned they will set a date later than mid-October. If in the event that occurs, what happens (considering the fact that I was selected for H1-B visa). Do I need to exit the country temporarily and return when my visa gets approves? What if my visa does not get approved (for whatever reason); can I never come back?
I heard from an insider that Winston & Strawn delayed their start date to February 2021, and I'm freaking out.
Help.

[sophie361]

Hi all,

I'm an international student on F-1 visa. I was selected for H1-B visa this year, but regardless, I need to start my employment in mid-October in order to legally remain in the United States.
Kirkland & Ellis has not yet released their employment start date, and I'm concerned they will set a date later than mid-October. If in the event that occurs, what happens (considering the fact that I was selected for H1-B visa). Do I need to exit the country temporarily and return when my visa gets approves? What if my visa does not get approved (for whatever reason); can I never come back?
I heard from an insider that Winston & Strawn delayed their start date to February 2021, and I'm freaking out.
Help.

Talk to HR. HR at all these large firms have immigration counsel they consult with on these matters (and they must already have engaged someone wrt you if they sponsored your H1B).

[Anonymous User]

You can take a part-time job for a few months to remain employed.

[sophie361]

You can take a part-time job for a few months to remain employed.

Its been a while since I dealt with it, but I am almost certain you cannot work for another employer on your H1B or work part time. Its specific to your job. Another employer could take over sponsorship, but I don't think you could do that on a part time basis.

[M458]

You can take a part-time job for a few months to remain employed.

Its been a while since I dealt with it, but I am almost certain you cannot work for another employer on your H1B or work part time. Its specific to your job. Another employer could take over sponsorship, but I don't think you could do that on a part time basis.

You can work for another employer while on OPT, but not while on H1B status.

[Anonymous User]

I thought KE was one of the few to not move their joining dates.

[Anonymous User]

FWIW my firm (V20) is pushing start date for new associates to January but will keep the fall start date for LLM new hires precisely due to the work authorization restriction. Probably best to talk to your firm's HR AND your/your firm's immigration lawyer.

[Anonymous User]

You can take a part-time job for a few months to remain employed.

Its been a while since I dealt with it, but I am almost certain you cannot work for another employer on your H1B or work part time. Its specific to your job. Another employer could take over sponsorship, but I don't think you could do that on a part time basis.

Also just curious -- what does the process usually look like if for visa reasons one wants to be relocated to an overseas locations? Will there be an interview with that specific office? While I'm sure they'll be looking for
that person's ties to the location, what else really matters here? Thank you!

[Babum]

You can take a part-time job for a few months to remain employed.

Its been a while since I dealt with it, but I am almost certain you cannot work for another employer on your H1B or work part time. Its specific to your job. Another employer could take over sponsorship, but I don't think you could do that on a part time basis.

Also just curious -- what does the process usually look like if for visa reasons one wants to be relocated to an overseas locations? Will there be an interview with that specific office? While I'm sure they'll be looking for
that person's ties to the location, what else really matters here? Thank you!

That depends on the specific firm and office. Usually, the managing partner of the foreign office as well as the partners for whom you will be working will have a chat with you. From what I have heard, these internal interviews are just like regular interviews albeit more relaxed.

[Anonymous User]

I know a current clerk (on OPT, transitioning to H1-B) in the same position and the firm she'll be starting with is delaying the incoming class but making an exception for her because of visa concerns. KE may very well do the same!

[Anonymous User]

I know a current clerk (on OPT, transitioning to H1-B) in the same position and the firm she'll be starting with is delaying the incoming class but making an exception for her because of visa concerns. KE may very well do the same!

this gives me so much peace! thank you for sharing!
do you mind sharing what law firm? or at least if its v1-10? 11-20? 21-30? feel free to keep it undisclosed if you'd prefer it unknown!

[Anonymous User]

Incoming at V20, start date deferred till January 2021. Firm told us that if you won the lottery, you can either 1) exit the country until then, activate the H1B at consulate and reenter the country on the H1B; or 2) remain in status for OPT by staying in country and working either 20 hrs/wk for paid work or some volunteer work, no hour requirements. International students were not given exceptions, although maybe LLMs were? Don't know any so can't speak to that.

[strawberrywatermelon]

International students were not given exceptions, although maybe LLMs were?

H1-B visa only applies to international students, no? What do you mean they weren't given the exceptions?

[Anonymous User]

International students were not given exceptions, although maybe LLMs were?

H1-B visa only applies to international students, no? What do you mean they weren't given the exceptions?

I was referring to one of the posts above that talked about how their firm made an exception for LLMs in terms of deferring start dates.

[Anonymous User]

Hi everyone, what are you doing to remain in status? Is your firm helping you find an employer to remain in status? My firm is totally silent and I'm getting super worried.

[Anonymous User]

Silent. I guess unpaid pro bono work should be relatively easy to find?
Do we know what firms allow international students to start earlier? To my knowledge, Goodwin is one.

IMO, let's out the firms that are more friendly and those that are not. There is more than one international student in most firms. It should be good info to pass along to the next years.

[Anonymous User]

Agree with this!

[Anonymous User]

Not much of an update, but I sent an e-mail to my V10 firm about my visa situation and they replied saying that they will take that into account while setting starting dates. They have not set start dates yet but since I am in jurisdiction with an October exam in any case it seems like I will need a special start date. (Otherwise, they will have start everyone literally the day after the bar exam).

I think for firms setting a late October early November start date I would be surprised if they do not accommodate international students. For January start dates, it becomes more uncertain.

[Anonymous User]

I know there is a V50 that is starting their incoming international associates in September/October at 50% pay.