Hey guys, does anyone know if you need a valid F-1 visa to apply for OPT?
I currently have a valid F-1 visa issued in my senior year in my undergrad in 2015 but is valid until end of this year (it was a five-year visa).
I will be enrolling in a one-year Master this fall and will apply for my post-completion OPT in March of 2021 to be activated after graduation in summer 2021. Since my F-1 visa will be expired in March 2021, will this affect my OPT application or do I need to get a new F-1 visa to apply for OPT?
My understanding is that I only need my F-1 visa to be valid *WHEN ENTERING THE U.S.*, but does anyone know if my F-1 visa needs to be valid when I am applying for OPT *INSIDE THE U.S.*?
Thank you !!
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source https://www.reddit.com/r/immigration/comments/hgqxtz/opt_application_using_expired_f1_visa_from_prior/