Posted by: Mero_Pyaro_Nepal March 23, 2013
90 day unemployment limit while on OPT
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Hi Everyone,
Here's my predicament -

I graduated during recession so naturally I wasn't able to land a job within the 90 day statutory limit. But before the 90 day expiration date, I provided my university with the name of a consulting company which at that time had agreed to provide free IT related training. However, I had not had the chance to go through the formal paperwork with the company. 

2 months AFTER the actual expiration date of my grace period of 90 days, I was able to land a pretty decent job all by myself - that was during 2009. Fast forward to 2013, the current company I work for has agreed to sponsor GC. Here's the tricky part, the paralegal asked the question about what I was doing during when the OPT started and when I actually got a job (5 months gap). When my H1B was filed, I wasn't asked this question so obviously I didn't think of it during that time. But now the question has been asked, I'm kind of worried. Has anyone gone through the same experience? If so, it would be very helpful for me if you could share your experience. 

I'm aware that unpaid or volunteer jobs/positions count as valid employment while on OPT so it's not a huge issue; especially because of the fact that I didn't let the 90 day limit expire but even then, any real world experience would be much more beneficial. Thanks for your time. 
Last edited: 23-Mar-13 11:17 PM
Last edited: 24-Mar-13 09:29 AM
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