Tim S
Apr 30, 2026
STEM OPT/ Currently pending I-485 EB3-unskilled
I am at STEM OPT which ends on July 1st week. I am planning to enroll in Day-1 CPT. Does it affect pending AOS case? Should I start working with employer after getting EAD & drop F-1 or wait for GC? Some suggest start working since if interview will schedule then it might ask about not working with employer. on the other hand I see case denial because of not having underlying status. Does anyone has experience related to this please suggest?
PD: Feb 2022
AOS EB-3 unskilled
Biometrics completed
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sam youngApr 30, 2026
@Tim S I think you should wait for GC first and continue with your f1 status but it’s all your choice. After reading some stories people here are getting denied even tho they were working for their sponsor, so I guess it doesn’t matter. I haven’t received my EAD yet but I’m planning to continue with my f1 status
Eb3 otherApr 30, 2026
well i was in the same boat as you.. i was on day1 cpt.. then dropped college and started working for the employer…
tbh, it totally depends on your employer, usually they call you asap once u receive ur ead and if you deny then you will have to find a different employer later when u r ready to work, if your initial employer doesn’t want u anymore…
LEE xpressApr 30, 2026
start working as USCIS will have an issue now a days if you don’t work.
BDV PUBLIC ENEMY #1Apr 30, 2026
Depends on your PD, but if it's Feb 2022, you can start working.
Adam BaeApr 30, 2026
definitely maintain your status while your case is pending. I am in the same situation and is doing day 1 CPT.
Paan Singh May 3, 2026
There is story in our culture old timers used to tell us, “ a guy needed an advice so he went around his village asking for advice, in the end he decided to hang himself”. Take the action that fits your situation. Ignore the noise.
Manifest LawMay 8, 2026
This is a high-risk strategy. A pending I-485 gives you authorized stay, but if your I-485 is denied, having no underlying status can create problems. Day-1 CPT must be a real academic program, not just a status bridge. If you enroll only to keep status and the CPT is not academically legitimate, that can hurt future immigration benefits. If your I-485 EAD is approved, you can work for the green card sponsor using the EAD, but using AOS EAD may mean you are no longer relying on F-1/STEM OPT. Given EB3 unskilled and a pending AOS, I would review this with counsel before starting Day-1 CPT.
- Attorney Rashmi Bishnoi
(All information shared here is for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney - client relationship. Your situation may require fact-specific guidance. For personalized legal advice, please consult an immigration attorney directly.)
