F-1 留学生签证与身份规划
F-1 International Student Visa & Status Planning

千万不要挂靠！ 移民局曾查处多家空壳公司，凡是挂靠过的留学生都被列入黑名单。后果包括：OPT 被拒、H-1B 被拒、入境被遣返、甚至终身无法申请绿卡。如果一时找不到工作，OPT 第一年可以做 Unpaid（无薪）实习或志愿者工作来维持身份，或者联系我们律所咨询合法的应对方案，切勿因小失大。

Never engage in this unlawful practice! USCIS has raided multiple shell companies offering this "placement" service, and all international students who used it have been placed on immigration blacklists. Consequences include: OPT denial, H-1B denial, deportation upon entry, and even permanent ineligibility for a green card. If you cannot find paid employment immediately, you can do unpaid internships or volunteer work to maintain valid status during your first year of OPT, or contact our law firm for legal solutions. Do not sacrifice your long-term immigration goals for a short-term fix.

F-1 新规限制了“同级学位”的多次就读。例如，读完一个硕士再读一个硕士，可能无法再获得 OPT。对于想通过 CPT 学校维持身份的同学，以后需要在学位等级上有所晋升（如硕士转博士）。此外，身份宽限期（Duration of Status）可能有变动，建议同学们在毕业前尽早规划 H-1B、O-1 或其他身份转换。

The new F-1 regulations limit multiple degree programs at the same academic level. For example, if you already hold a master's degree and enroll in a second master's degree, you may not be eligible for OPT again. For students who wish to maintain status through CPT at a new school, you will now need to progress to a higher degree level (e.g., from master's to PhD). Additionally, there have been changes to the Duration of Status grace period, we recommend that you begin planning for H-1B, O-1, or another status change well before graduation.

在美国境内申请 B2 转 F1 批准率较高，我们有大量成功案例。关键点是：1. 入境 90 天后提交申请比较安全；2. 提供充足的财力证明；3. 有具体的求学计划（如由语言学校、社区大学或大学录取）。在等待审批期间，您不需要离境，但要注意保持 B2 身份有效直到提交 I-539 申请。

The approval rate for applying for a change of status from B-2 to F-1 within the U.S. is relatively high, and our firm has handled many successful cases. The key requirements are: 1. It is safest to submit your application 90 days after entry; 2. Provide sufficient proof of financial support; 3. Have a concrete study plan (e.g., admission from a language school, community college, or university). You do not need to leave the country while your application is pending, but you must maintain valid B-2 status until you file your I-539 application.

可以办，且很多留学生都在办。 F-1 是非移民签证，理论上不能有移民倾向，但这主要是在申请签证和入境时审查。一旦入境，提交 NIW 或 EB-1A 移民申请（I-140）通常不影响现有的 F-1 身份或 OPT 申请。美国移民局最近的指南也澄清了这一点。尽早排队（取得优先日期）对出生在中国大陆的同学非常重要。

Yes, you can apply, and many international students do. F-1 is a non-immigrant visa that theoretically requires you to maintain a non-immigrant intent, but this is primarily checked during your initial visa application and entry to the U.S. Once you have entered, filing an NIW or EB-1A I-140 immigrant petition generally will not jeopardize your current F-1 status or OPT application. Recent USCIS guidance has also clarified this. Locking in your priority date early is extremely important for students born in mainland China due to the annual quota backlogs.

除了继续读书（慎选 CPT），还可以考虑：
1. O-1 杰出人才签证：无名额限制，适合有一定成就的硕士/博士；
2. J-1 实习/培训签证：最长 18 个月，不需要抽签；
3. 免抽签 H-1B：入职高校或非营利研究机构；
4. L-1 签证：如果在跨国公司工作，可外派回国一年后再转回美国。
我们律所可以评估您的具体情况提供最佳方案。

Besides continuing your education (we advise caution when relying on CPT for this), other options include:
1. O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa: No annual cap, ideal for master's/PhD graduates with demonstrated achievements;
2. J-1 Internship/Training Visa: Valid for up to 18 months, no lottery required;
3. Cap-Exempt H-1B: For employment at colleges/universities or non-profit research institutions;
4. L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa: If you work for a multinational company, you can transfer to an office abroad for one year and then transfer back to the U.S.
Our firm can evaluate your specific situation and recommend the best solution.

常见原因包括：休学期过长、未满学分、GPA 太低被退学、非法打工等。如果 I-20 被终止，必须尽快离境或在 5 个月内申请 Reinstatement（身份恢复）。这需要证明违规是由于不可控因素造成的，或者如果不恢复将造成极端困难。我们律所曾帮助多位同学成功恢复 F-1 身份。

Common reasons for F-1 status termination include: taking an extended leave of absence, falling below the required credit hours, being dismissed for low GPA, and unauthorized employment. If your I-20 is terminated, you must either leave the U.S. promptly or file for Reinstatement within 5 months. To qualify, you must prove that the violation was caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond your control, or that denial would cause extreme hardship. Our firm has successfully helped many students regain valid F-1 status.