Share your H1B, GRE, MS, L1, etc. experience with our Readers here
About
Have you ever wondered how experience would be traveling to US from Red bus (Typical state government bus in India) ? My journey is from a Red Bus to Air Bus to come to US… Believe it or not, in general, I am very curious about a lot of things… I had way too many questions and used to bug my seniors and others for information on coming to USA… Well, after coming to US, started pounding people with questions on pretty much everyone I know…I believe, “Information is wealth”. All the wealth of info I accumulated all these years would go waste unless I share with someone…isn’t that right ? This website is my attempt to share my knowledge, honest opinions and experiences …
As a student aspiring to come to US you might think…
How will it be here once you land in America ?
How would your MS life be here in US ?
What everyone think of you back in India ?
Where to work when student ?
What every student should know ?
What every student can enjoy ?
What is on campus job vs off campus working as a student ?
How to get scholarship ?
How is the education system in America ?
Should I come to US in recession ?
What kind of jobs will I get after MS ?
How should I choose employer for working ?
As a professional aspiring to come to US on H1B or work visa you may think…
What are the immigration issues ?
What is H1b visa ?
How to choose consulting company ?
How to negotiate with employers ?
How are interviews different from India ?
What can I bring to US ?
What is life style there? Clothes ?
What should I learn ? How to talk on phone ?
Should I buy car after I go ?
After having a job and saving some money in US, you may think…
Where to invest ? US or India ? Why ?
What can you enjoy after you get a job ?
What can you do in USA ? What are the opportunities ?
How to network with Desi community ?
Should you date someone ?
Should you do social drinking ?
What sports should you follow ?
Lifestyle, dress sense ? Brands ?
How to network with others in America ?
Should you learn to dance ? What is the edge with dancing ?
Where to go during breaks to have fun ?
How to plan finances here in US ?
Should you call home every day ?Why ?
How is American society ? What people care ? Etiquette ?
How to impress someone ?
Philosophy of Life in US and what good you can get out ?
Why should you enjoy life ? How much to spend ? Why ?
Tons of questions no one writes about… I have embarked on a wonderful journey over five years ago and it has been so wonderful and I cherish every minute of it…. I have learnt so many things down the road…. I always wanted to write my experience and help others understand and learn…
This blog will have my perspectives and ideas on all the questions we always have and no one writes about….
Do me a favor, if you like my idea to share, please subscribe to RSS feed, so that I know someone’s out there interested, you may have hundreds of feeds already, what harm does one more make ?
If you have any specific articles request or have any questions, post a comment !
As a student aspiring to come to US you might think…
- How will it be here once you land in America ?
- How would your MS life be here in US ?
- What everyone think of you back in India ?
- Where to work when student ?
- What every student should know ?
- What every student can enjoy ?
- What is on campus job vs off campus working as a student ?
- How to get scholarship ?
- How is the education system in America ?
- Should I come to US in recession ?
- What kind of jobs will I get after MS ?
- How should I choose employer for working ?
As a professional aspiring to come to US on H1B or work visa you may think…
- What are the immigration issues ?
- What is H1b visa ?
- How to choose consulting company ?
- How to negotiate with employers ?
- How are interviews different from India ?
- What can I bring to US ?
- What is life style there? Clothes ?
- What should I learn ? How to talk on phone ?
- Should I buy car after I go ?
After getting a job and having some money in US, you may think…
- Where to invest ? US or India ? Why ?
- What can you enjoy after you get a job ?
- What can you do in USA ? What are the opportunities ?
- How to network with Desi community ?
- Should you date someone ?
- Should you do social drinking ?
- What sports should you follow ?
- Lifestyle, dress sense ? Brands ?
- How to network with others in America ?
- Should you learn to dance ? What is the edge with dancing ?
- Where to go during breaks to have fun ?
- How to plan finances here in US ?
- Should you call home every day ?Why ?
- How is American society ? What people care ? Etiquette ?
- How to impress someone ?
- Philosophy of Life in US and what good you can get out ?
- Why should you enjoy life ? How much to spend ? Why ?
Tons of questions no one writes about… I have embarked on a wonderful journey over five years ago and it has been so wonderful and I cherish every minute of it…. I have learnt so many things down the road…. I always wanted to write my experience and help others understand and learn…finally, my best friend’s encouragement made me do this !
This blog will have my perspectives and ideas on all the questions we always have and no one writes about …
Do me a favor, if you like my idea to share, please subscribe to FeedBurner RSS feed, so that I know someone’s out there interested, you may have hundreds of feeds already, what harm does one more make ?
If you have any specific articles request or have any questions, ask in forum or use Contact me option above !
You do NOT need to read below information , it is NOT about website…Just about me !
411 about myself :
Somone asked me, “what is your qualification to write about all these ?”
I thought for a second and said to myself, “Good point ! Why should somone trust in what I write ? What qualifications does someone need to write critical info ? ” A brief SD about me !
Education : I have a Bachelors in Computer Sciences from India, MS from a US State University and an MBA from a US State University as well. I had the opportunity to study in three US state Universities and visit many Universities for conferences and events.
Work Experience : Worked as a student on campus in various kinds of Jobs, got scholarships for two consecutive years (until MS completion) , worked as RA, Worked on CPT, Worked on OPT as an Intern. I have been working in IT consulting, Marketing Strategy, SEO, SEM, and Social Media strategy…
Student Life : My friends in MS say, “I utilized school to get every penny I paid for tuition”. They say it because, I was active part of every student organizations, student life, student government, etc. In MBA too, I am part of many organizations like Vice president of careers in American Marketing Association, Student Senator for Graduate School, etc.
Life Lessons and Experiences :
My life as a student and working professional taught me many things the hard way. I paid price to learn simple things, I do not want someone to do same mistakes. It is my passion to write and guide others. My motto is to help others avoid mistakes that I have done. Of course, I cannot pass information to everyone, but this is my small attempt !
There is a well known story, ‘A boy was running across ocean shoreline and throwing star fish into ocean to save them from sunlight. A man approached the boy and asked, ”what are you trying to do here ? You cannot save all the Star fish, they ocean is big and shoreline is never ending.” The boy replied, “yeah I know I cannot save every star fish, but it does make a difference for the star fish I hold in my hand !”. Thats the philosophy ! I cannot spread honest info to everyone, at least I can help few who visit this blog ! If you like the info, you can make a difference by Sharing it to your friends. Sharing is Caring !’ Thanks !
Do we need to be on F-1 status for one...
{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }
i think this site is great.. but dont have much info about h4 visa and 221g for delhi consulate
Hi
Is F1 visa of indian international student in US, valid within the 15 days grace period, after authorized voluntary withdrawal?
Thank you.
Hi Saurabh,
I have a question regarding revoking of approved H1B petition by old employer.
I had a approved H1B petition for FY2006. I got to know the receipt number but i never received the i-797 .
1. If my old employer had revoked the petition does it still appear in the “Post Decision” in USCIS databse? Or if its revoked it will not appear at all in the status check.
Currently I am seeing a case with the receipt number in “Post decision” state. Does that mean my old employer didnt revoke my petition still ?
I am not sure if it still shows up in the “Post Decision” status or a different one. What is the last updated date in the online status?
Even if the petitioner didn’t revoke the petition, it must have very well expired by now.
Hi,
My employer filed H1B on November 8 2011 and my current case status is under initial review. I am an unpaid intern on OPT in the same company.
My question is in this situation can i travel to my home country (India) before the application is approved or denied. i plan to travel in January and return in February. My job start date on the application filed is 1 January 2012
what to do if the application is approved during my stay in India or gets rejected within that period?
If i return what will happen if the case is still remain pending?
Thank You in anticipation for your reply
My employer filed for H1
Most likely your employer applied H-1 w/ COS (from F-1 to H-1). In case you leave US while H-1 is pending, then COS will be abandoned. This means even after you return to US and your H-1 gets approved, your status would remain F-1/OPT. You cannot start working on H-1 unless you file for COS and get it approved, or go out of country and return back on stamped H-1 visa.
If you leave US after your H-1 has been approved, then you will have to get H-1 visa stamped in the passport in order to return to US on H-1 and work on that visa.
If H-1 gets denied, then you can travel out and in on OPT provided you are legally employed and maintaining the terms of OPT.
Does that clarify?
Thank You saurabh
Hey Saurabh,
My h1b petition is filed on November 8th 2011 but it is under intial review. My OPT is going to expire on April 30th 2011. right now i am unpaid intern for the same company who filed the petition for me. On the petition the employment start date is 1st January 2012.
What to do If the petition doesn’t get approved and still remains under initial review till the OPT finish date?
What will happen to the Employment start date if the petition doesn’t get approved by 1st January 2012? Can I start working or no
Thanks
You can still work for the employer on OPT. If your H-1 doesn’t get approve by the time your OPT expires, then you will have 60 days grace period to leave US. Your employment on H-1 will commence on the day your H-1 gets approved w/ COS.
You also have the option of upgrading the petition to premium processing. Although it costs $1225 more, but USCIS will adjudicate your petition within 15 calendar days.
Hi,
I have a question regarding CPT and OPT. This is my last semester towards finishing a Bachelors degree. Since I don’t have many classes to take I am thinking of working (job/internship). I know there is 12 months limit for CPT. But I am wondering if I start working on CPT from January/February, can I continue it after my graduation (May 2012) as well? And later apply for OPT only when 12 months under CPT gets over?
Shall appreciate your help. Thanks.
You need to stop working on CPT once you graduate from school. To continue working after graduation, you need to have an approved OPT.
Hi
Hi
I m in US under H4 visa and my husband is in H1b. We r planning to process visitor’s visa for my parents. My question is , Is it compulsory to show my passport and birth certificate? as the documents.. B’cos my mothers name in my passport and my birth certificate are different. Will it be ok if we just show the name change of my mother as notary certificate? OR is there any option that my husband can sponsor them without my passport? Wat is the best thing to do? I m pregnant and due in march. Have no much time left..and i really wish my parents come here. Plz reply and help. Thanks in advance
As you are on H-4, eventually you will be sponsoring the parents (and will pay for their expenses while they are here). So husband’s information needs to be furnished. In addition, VO needs to ensure that they are indeed your parents. You can submit passport and BC along w/ notary certificate mentioning the name change. If you have old bank statements that show her old name, and now the same account reflects her new name, then that would help as well.
Hi Saurabh,
Thanks a lot for all your suggestions and comments for all my queries posted.
You are doing a great service.
Thanks Krupa. I am glad my answers were of your help.
Thanks kumar for sharing u r experiences.great work !!!
I would like to place an ad in your site. please let me know the process.
hello mr kumar,
i am Nil Patel.
i visited your website.i really like.i think why didn’t read not before 2 years ago.it really helpful.your thought amazing. that why i put your thought in my facebook .i try to share everybody.i have some question.you reply me i will send you.thanks once again
“Sharing is Caring !’ Thanks !this is the thought of my best website author kumar–i mentioned below its website.it helps you lot for student who in USA or WHo want to come in USA.thanks…….a lot everyone which i did .. no body do like me …so accept it.and read the best guidence of life and usa.”
http://redbus2us.com/
Thanks for the generous compliments.
Hi Kumar,
What is great about the website/you is….
i.It identifies the topics that are useful (Saves time/money/pain) to all students and professions-Whether a person newly came or planning to come or already in US for long time
ii.Information introduces the topic/context very well, explains the topics in a great depth but in few sentences, has a human face/emotion in narration and words used are easy to understand for a layman
iii. One topic is well connected or referred to another topic through a close connection
iv.Well defined conclusions to remember or act
Vinod,
Thank you so much for the insightful compliments. I really appreciate it !
If you are looking for any article/ info feel free to post it as comment or in forum.
u deserve appreciation..
It is a very good effort from your side. You deserve appreciation…
Avanish
Kumar ,
This is very nice effort from you to educate our people on Do’s and Dont’s in this country. I really appreciate you for the fact that you have written about things like tipping the waitresses , basic use of american lingo etc. Our people get so involved in attaining professional success that , at times they forget the finer aspects of life. I am doing my bit to spread some awareness among my countrymen , but have found out that a lot of them stick to their own rigid ways. Once i asked one of my collegues to tip the hairdresser after getting his haircut done and what i got was a mouthful of abuse from his native language which i am guessing is Telegu . So , keep writing …..you are doing a great job
Thanks Nikhil ! Yeah, I agree with you..unfortunately we cannot advise or change everyone…I will do my best !
Hi Kumar;
Would you ever consider going back to India? If so, under what circumstances? What would be your expectations, especially after you have lived and worke din the US for so long. I know this may be a broad question, but I wanted to get your perspectives on the topic.
Thanks!
Sven,
Haven’t thought about it very much…. I have shelled so much time and money for my education in US (2 masters ), it makes sense for me to stick around for few more years right to get rid of my loans and get into decent financial shape… I want to go back home someday once I am in a decent position. Things always change, you never know…you have to open to go back anytime…
Hi Kumar,
I am a VP at H1 Base and I wanted to congratulate you on your excellent efforts, dedication and committment to helping explain, guide and advise many people on their journey to the USA. We have seen many sites, blogs etc arise over the years we have been in operation – but yours is definately one of the best, most informative and the most impressive. You have a great natural talent for presenting in a very clear, concise, enjoyable and honest manner. If there is anything our organization can do to help you, so that you in turn can help more people learn and discover through your valuable experiences and knowledge, please do not hesitate to contact me personally (you have my email).
Warm regards and and great success to you!
Paul
Paul, Thanks for all the nice words and kind offer to help ! Will contact you if I need anything.
hi kumar ,
You are the best !!!
your site have a answer for everything what i want to know ,
You are the GREAT.
Thanks a lot ,
RAVI
Thanks for compliments Ravi ! I am glad to hear there is an answer for everything !
Hi Kumar!
Really great job!!
You are right “Information is wealth”, Sharing that wealth is great. I liked the way you inked.
I wish I could have seen this site earlier; I would ‘ve saved lot of time.
Trinadh
Thanks for the compliments Trinadh ! If you have any hard lessons learned and would like to share, feel free to send me an email with the article, I can share with our readers.
Hi Kumar,
All i can say is that you are a awesome guy.Thanks to your parents that you have got great quality for sharing things with others.I am a new babie for this site.Your site has plenty of info which required for every individual who want to be work or stay in U.S.
Take care.
keep Posting.
Regards,
Sankarguru.T
Thanks a lot Sankaraguru ! Really appreciate your compliments. I will do my best buddy !
Hi Kumar, I’m someone who is planning to come and work in USA on H1B visa. Your site is really helpful for me. Apperciate all your efforts which you are putting in to share your knowledge. Great job! Thank you!
Welcome Srikanth ! Feel free to ask any questions in the Forum.
Kumar,
You are doing a great ‘second’ job.. I don’t have intentions to study or work here. But it is fun and informative to read the content you have gathered. I’ll certainly pass it on if I see a star fish on the shoreline.
Thanks for the nice words Abhi !
Hey!!
Really great work on the site. I didn’t know about this until last week.
Appreciate all the effort that you are putting in to share your knowledge. As you mentioned — there are a number of people who could use this site for variety of information during their stay here in US.
Good Luck again
-Ravi
Thanks a lot Ravi !
I am glad you like the content
Great job. We need a site focussed on the issues you are discussing.
Thanks ! Thats what I am trying to do
Hi Kumar,
I only wish I had stumbled across your site around 3 years back, when I was new to the states. Over time I have learned to fit in quite comfortably, but your stuff still makes interesting reading. And I must say.. it is an impressively comprehensive effort!! I can’t think of anything that you haven’t covered.
So kudos to you and keep up the good work!
Vishal
Thanks for the nice words Vishal ! I will do my best. I have lot of info to share because, I did screw up lot of things in US because of lack of proper info and wrong perception of things in US and I do not want others to do the same mistakes. If you have anything to share, please feel free to send me the article, I can post it for our readers.
Kumar
Hey Kumar!
Sure. You are welcome!
Now, since you asked, I remembered that a while ago, I had typed out a description of my whole visa experience at the US consulate in Mumbai with the intention of sharing it with whoever cared. I did send it out to some people but never actually got around to posting the story anywhere. I just dug around for it and found I had a pdf version of it still lying around. I’d be happy to share it with you and all your readers but I must warn you that my writing was terribly casual. So; assuming that you still would be interested in taking a look at it (I’m being presumptuous, I know), how do I send a pdf to you?
Cheers,
Vishal
Language is never a problem. Content is important and the more casual the better
Please send it to email id : redbus2us [ at ] gmail dot com
Thanks again !