Once I filed my i-485 I technically dropped from school and worked for my employer

When you have filed and USCIS has received your case. You have the choice to drop your F1 status or keep it until your status has been finalized (approved and receive the Green Card).

@J A I’m working with my employer using my EAD from I-485 since l finished my OPT. But I enrolled in another course again to maintain my status. I’ve read posts and comments that once you used your EAD from I-485, the F1 will not be valid anymore however I consulted my lawyer and my school and apparently, my F1 is still valid as long as I enroll myself in any course. Now, I’m planning to finish my course until this September and stop going to school. Please share your thoughts and experience.

I did a similar thing, I couldn't hold on to the F1 because school tuition fees was a huge factor financially. Based on my experience my lawyer gave me the option to choose either to stay in school and finish the program, meaning keeping the F1 until the green card is received. The F1 essentially keeps you in status in the US basically just in case your case gets denied. My lawyer also mentioned that it is also okay to stop school, the difference is that if you dropped your F1 (meaning not going to school) and you get denied in your case, you will have no status in the US. Basically keeping your F1 is like your safety net in case your case is denied.

In addition, prior to my adjustment. I enrolled in a new program to extend my F1 because my husband now proposed and essentially led to my change in status. I have already completed my masters degree and did my OPT already.

@K P thanks for sharing!

@LM F you're welcome. Hopefully that helps a bit in whichever decision you make. I know it's tricky, but basically just decide on what makes you comfortable of course. If you are working with a lawyer you could ask for their advice too. 😊

@K P Yes I have a lawyer. Honestly, he advised me not to enroll again after I finish my course this September. Hope you don’t mind me asking, have you ever used your EAD I-485 while on F1?

@LM F the EAD that I used was the one from my F-1 OPT so that one was comepletely different. I now have a newly issued EAD from the I-485 :)

@K P I did the same. I’m using EAD from I-485 after my OPT last Feb 2023. I’ve read on Facebook groups and articles that my F1 will be invalid if I use my EAD I-485 yet I continued to enroll. Any thoughts / ideas about this?

@LM F That's a tricky one actually, I personally was going to experience the same thing, but I chose to stop my schooling the moment USCIS reviewed our case so I honestly wouldn't know what the outcome would be in terms of schooling :( With what I know, the F-1 does go away eventually since you cannot have two statuses active in the US.

@K P ok, thank you so much for all your inputs ☺️

@LM F welcome 😊♥️