Hi Giovanna,
If you are discounting the H1-B/cap gap, then you have a 60 day grace period that begins when your post-completion OPT expires provided you maintain F-1 status until then. You may remain in the United States during that 60 day grace period, but cannot depart then re-enter, even if your F-1 visa is still valid.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Vanessa Cornwall
Assistant Director
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)
305.284.6793
Advises students whose last names begin with DAJ ? KOU
Please click here to schedule a phone call or Zoom meeting.
From: De Cristofaro Lopes De Souza, Giovanna <gdl10@miami.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, March 9, 2021 12:39 PM
To: Cornwall, Vanessa <vxc384@miami.edu>
Subject: Re: I-20s for H-1B Application
Hi Vanessa,
Thank you so much for your help!
One last question if you don't mind: After my OPT ends on March 10th until when can I stay in the U.S.? (My F-1 is valid until June).
Best,
Giovanna
From: Cornwall, Vanessa <vxc384@miami.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, March 9, 2021 10:17 AM
To: De Cristofaro Lopes De Souza, Giovanna <gdl10@miami.edu>
Subject: RE: I-20s for H-1B Application
Hi Giovanna,
I hope all is well. I checked with my colleagues and it would not be possible to transfer your record or change educational levels to begin another program while on the cap gap extension. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Best,
Vanessa Cornwall
Assistant Director
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)
305.284.6793
Advises students whose last names begin with DAJ ? KOU
Please click here to schedule a phone call or Zoom meeting.
From: De Cristofaro Lopes De Souza, Giovanna <gdl10@miami.edu>
Sent: Friday, February 19, 2021 11:49 AM
To: Cornwall, Vanessa <vxc384@miami.edu>
Subject: Re: I-20s for H-1B Application
Hi Vanessa,
Alright, thanks for the explanation.
One last question, should I print and sign those for the H-1 application even though they are not "effective" anymore? If so, with today's date or the date it was issued?
Giovanna
From: Cornwall, Vanessa <vxc384@miami.edu>
Sent: Friday, February 19, 2021 11:30 AM
To: De Cristofaro Lopes De Souza, Giovanna <gdl10@miami.edu>
Subject: RE: I-20s for H-1B Application
Hi Giovanna,
You?re welcome. No, nothing issued in 2018. You just got a travel signature. That?s perfectly normal.
Best,
Vanessa Cornwall
Assistant Director
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)
305.284.6793
Advises students whose last names begin with DAJ ? KOU and SES-SZ
Please click here to schedule a phone call or Zoom meeting.
From: De Cristofaro Lopes De Souza, Giovanna <gdl10@miami.edu>
Sent: Friday, February 19, 2021 11:09 AM
To: Cornwall, Vanessa <vxc384@miami.edu>
Subject: Re: I-20s for H-1B Application
Hi Vanessa,
Thank you so so much! I truly appreciate your fast response and willingness to help me. I have already printed out and saved an electronic copy on my files as well.
Ooh so there are really no I-20s issued in 2018... Would this be possible in your opinion?
Thank you again!
Giovanna
From: Cornwall, Vanessa <vxc384@miami.edu>
Sent: Friday, February 19, 2021 10:54 AM
To: De Cristofaro Lopes De Souza, Giovanna <gdl10@miami.edu>
Subject: RE: I-20s for H-1B Application
Hi Giovanna,
Please find the missing I-20s that I found attached. Let me know if you need anything further. Good luck with your H-1B petition!
Best,
Vanessa Cornwall
Assistant Director
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)
305.284.6793
Advises students whose last names begin with DAJ ? KOU and SES-SZ
Please click here to schedule a phone call or Zoom meeting.
From: De Cristofaro Lopes De Souza, Giovanna <gdl10@miami.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2021 11:54 AM
To: Cornwall, Vanessa <vxc384@miami.edu>
Subject: Re: I-20s for H-1B Application
Hi Vanessa,
I appreciate your willingness to help me. I do keep all I-20 hard copies in a folder. However, I noticed there are none for 2018. I did take a gap year, but that was right after freshman year on 2016-17. Below you'll find all the I-20's for which I have the originals or copies:
04/23/2015
03/16/2016
05/05/2017
03/20/2019
08/09/2019
12/14/2019
02/22/2020
05/12/2020
10/13/2020
I apologize for the inconvenience this has caused. I have looked everywhere, and I can't find any documents for 2018. Also, if you notice there are any other missing, it would be extremely helpful.
Thank you very much for the support.
Best regards,
Giovanna
From: Cornwall, Vanessa <vxc384@miami.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2021 10:21 AM
To: De Cristofaro Lopes De Souza, Giovanna <gdl10@miami.edu>
Subject: RE: I-20s for H-1B Application
Hi Giovanna,
I hope all is well. Students are responsible for maintaining copies of their immigration documents, as ISSS consistently advises. If we already provided copies of previously issue Forms I-20 when you applied for OPT, you should have taken multiple copies and kept a set for yourself at that time; I am not as inclined to do so again. I want to help you out, but it is not an effective use of time to search through your entire student record looking for Forms I-20s. Please send me a list of the Forms I-20 you do have by issue date from oldest to newest. I will try to see what is missing and provide them if possible. However, please note that I will not do so again. You need to save copies yourself as they are typically required when applying for benefits or changes of status and ISSS is only required to retain copies for a certain number of years.
Please send the list and I will see what I can find for you.
Best,
Vanessa Cornwall
Assistant Director
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)
305.284.6793
Advises students whose last names begin with DAJ ? KOU and SES-SZ
Please click here to schedule a phone call or Zoom meeting.
From: De Cristofaro Lopes De Souza, Giovanna <gdl10@miami.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2021 10:13 AM
To: Cornwall, Vanessa <vxc384@miami.edu>
Subject: I-20s for H-1B Application
Hi Vanessa,
I hope you are doing well!
My employer is filling my H-1B and they have asked me for all my I-20 forms. I am not completely positive if I have absolutely all of them. I remember, however, that to apply for OPT, you requested this and had previous ones on file.
Is it possible for you to send me all the I-20 forms you have on file under my name? Please let me know as soon as possible.
Thank you very much!
Best,
Giovanna