anony aash
Aug 7, 2023
stem opt work related
Hello all,
I filed for eb3 unskilled. During my 3 years of stem opt (2020-2023), from 2021 jan -2022 March there came a time when I didn't find a paying job due to COVID so I was doing internship/training at one company. The company offered me housing and paid training cost but didn't pay me. After discussing with my lawyer, we decided not to show that training on my i485 because it was unpaid. Now I'm worried because my lawyer has changed his opinion and Idk how to answer the question if I'm asked what did I do in that time interval 2021 jan to 2022 March. Because as an STEM opt student you're only allowed 150 days as of total unemployment including reg opt time. My interview will be coming very soon and I'm really worried. Please help. People who may have joined consultancy to find job may have experienced similar issue, please help if you find it relatable and share your experience if you already went through interview. Thanks alot for taking your time to read this!
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sam aAug 7, 2023
did you do unpaid training on your STEM opt or regular opt?
The landAug 7, 2023
if you put that in your OPT during the time you report your employment on your sevis record then I would have suggested you put it on your I-485 application as part of employment with a letter letting USCIS know it was unpaid. but if you didn’t put it in your I-1485 application now there is nothing you can do. just keep calm and go for interview and if the interviewer brings it up then you explain the situation and don’t be scared. Goodluck!
anony aashAug 7, 2023
@sam a it was stem opt perios
sam aAug 7, 2023
@anony aash just get prepared for that question. They will ask you what did you do during that period and what wage you received. I would suggest taking lawyer with you during interview. My friend had a same case
Wow USCIS Aug 8, 2023
nothing to be worried bud, take it easy. you should have put that your employement on your i485 application at the beginning as Homeland had your information through sevis portal but if something come up during interview just let them you forgot to mentioned those and want to correct them. Take a lawyer with you during interview. But never mentioned anything unless they asked .
anony aashAug 8, 2023
@sam a what happened with your friend? could you please elaborate?
sam aAug 8, 2023
@anony aash after the interview they sent an RFE. RFE was to prove you were involved with that employer during that time. They did asked for paystub. He responded RFE without paystub since he didn’t had any. As of today his case is still pending and his pd is sept 2019
anony aashAug 8, 2023
he also had not mentioned that work on i485? I mean he also had a gap between jobs on I485 like mine?
Wow USCIS Aug 8, 2023
@sam did they asked your friend to provide all the paystub or for certain period of time ?
Apple AppleAug 25, 2023
@anony aash are you done with your interview?
Stressed outNov 18, 2025
Any updates on your case ?
