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I graduated from (OSU) in Dec 2009 with a PhD in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology. I'm currently a Postdoctotal Scientist at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) on my OPT (my EAD expires on 09/22/10).
Early this year (april), I was suggested by the HR at UCSF to get my OPT extended to 17 months under the STEM program since I'm working in this field to buy some time for my H1B application. I then contacted the international coordinator at OSU regarding this issue, who assured me that I can extend my OPT under STEM. I was in India in June and have just returned. I sent her my STEM application documents 2 days back and she told me that I'm not eligible to apply under this since my field, “Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Other,” corresponding to the SEVIS code 26.0499, is not on the STEM list although other similar fields do appear on the list, such as Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomy.
Due to this mis-judgement on their part, I'm now in a fix since I don't have enough time to turn my visa documents in. People in UCSF HR, my lab managers, my boss and me are extremely frustrated with this situation for no fault of ours and need quick help. I was wondering if any changes could be made to my I-20 such that I'll be eligible to apply for the STEM extension. In addition, I plan to turn in my J1 visa documents this week (since J1 is easier and fastre than H1B). But poeple at my univ are confusing me over that too!! Could you please let me know any solution to my problems at the earliest?
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Early this year (april), I was suggested by the HR at UCSF to get my OPT extended to 17 months under the STEM program since I'm working in this field to buy some time for my H1B application. I then contacted the international coordinator at OSU regarding this issue, who assured me that I can extend my OPT under STEM. I was in India in June and have just returned. I sent her my STEM application documents 2 days back and she told me that I'm not eligible to apply under this since my field, “Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Other,” corresponding to the SEVIS code 26.0499, is not on the STEM list although other similar fields do appear on the list, such as Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomy.
Due to this mis-judgement on their part, I'm now in a fix since I don't have enough time to turn my visa documents in. People in UCSF HR, my lab managers, my boss and me are extremely frustrated with this situation for no fault of ours and need quick help. I was wondering if any changes could be made to my I-20 such that I'll be eligible to apply for the STEM extension. In addition, I plan to turn in my J1 visa documents this week (since J1 is easier and fastre than H1B). But poeple at my univ are confusing me over that too!! Could you please let me know any solution to my problems at the earliest?
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
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