A 35-page strategic guide to the F-1 student visa process — the consular interview, maintaining status, Curricular Practical Training, 12-month Optional Practical Training, 24-month STEM Optional Practical Training, cap-gap, and the H-1B transition.

What’s Inside

A 35-page strategic guide to the F-1 student visa process, written by an inactive Illinois-licensed attorney with 25 years of experience and thousands of cases. Covers every stage from admission through the H-1B transition and the green card path.

Chapters:

Chapter 1 — Getting admitted and the Form I-20: What the I-20 is, how to read it, and what to do if you spot an error
Chapter 2 — The consular interview: Nonimmigrant intent, 214(b) refusals, and the questions officers actually ask (the longest chapter in the Playbook)
Chapter 3 — Maintaining F-1 status: Full-time enrollment, Designated School Official reporting, address updates, and the traps that catch students off guard
Chapter 4 — Curricular Practical Training: When it fits, how it affects Optional Practical Training eligibility, and how to coordinate with the Designated School Official
Chapter 5 — Optional Practical Training (12 months): Application window, timing strategy, the 90-day unemployment limit, and what counts as qualifying work
Chapter 6 — STEM Optional Practical Training (24 months): E-Verify employers, Form I-983, reporting cadence, and the 150-day unemployment limit
Chapter 7 — Cap-gap and the H-1B transition: How cap-gap works, timing, and what to do if the H-1B is denied
Chapter 8 — Travel on F-1: Visa revalidation, automatic revalidation, and the I-20 travel signature
Chapter 9 — Changes to your program: Transfers, program changes, program extensions, and what triggers a new I-20
Chapter 10 — The green card path from F-1: Dual intent limits, employment-based options, and when to start labor certification
Chapter 11 — If something goes wrong: Falling out of status, Reinstatement applications, and departures with pending applications
Chapter 12 — Appendices: Pre-arrival checklist, Optional Practical Training timing worksheet, document index

Introductory price: $29 (regular price $49)

This Playbook is educational information, not legal advice. For legal counsel specific to your situation, consult an immigration attorney licensed to practice law.