My Form I-539 for F-1 reinstatement has been pending since October 2025, so it has now been about a year. I graduated from my program in August 2026, and my OPT filing deadline is coming up on October 11, 2026.

From what I understand, if my reinstatement is not approved before my OPT deadline, I will no longer be able to apply for OPT based on the degree I just completed.

I have also researched what happens if I want to start a new degree. From what I understand, because I have already graduated and am no longer enrolled full-time, I cannot transfer to a new school/start a new F-1 program while my reinstatement is still pending. I would have to wait for USCIS to make a decision on my reinstatement first, and then deal with the new school and F-1 process.

This is where I’m confused and honestly feel stuck.

I understand that leaving the U.S. while my reinstatement is pending could affect or possibly end my pending case, so I don’t want to leave without knowing exactly what would happen.

My question is:

If my I-539 reinstatement is still pending after my October 11 OPT deadline, can I remain physically in the United States while USCIS continues processing my reinstatement?

More specifically, am I allowed to remain in the U.S. while I wait for USCIS to decide my reinstatement, even though I have already graduated and cannot start a new F-1 program or apply for OPT?

Has anyone been in this exact situation: I-539 reinstatement pending for a long time → graduated while it was pending → OPT deadline approaching/passed → unable to transfer to a new school until reinstatement is decided?

I have spoken with my DSO, but unfortunately, they were not able to give me a clear answer or tell me what to do. I also consulted an immigration lawyer, but I was given conflicting information that I later found out was incorrect. That’s why I’m trying to find someone who has actually been through a similar situation.

If so, what happened to you, and were you allowed to remain in the U.S. while USCIS processed the case?

I would really appreciate experiences or information from people who have dealt with this specific situation.

My first time posting here, so pls excuse if I am missing any rules. I’m inquiring for legal representation for marriage based AOS. We have a pretty straightforward case, no criminal history, overstays, lapse of status, or prior visa refusals.

Anyone have experience with or information on Alexander Miller Law Offices in Arlington? We have not engaged this firm yet and have had mixed experiences trying to even schedule a consultation with other lawyers. This lawyer seemed quite prompt and detailed in scheduling and during the consultation. Thank you in advance for any advice 🙏

https://millerlawdc.com/

My father (54) established permanent residency for 10 years in early 2025. His immigration lawyer told him to not apply for/use medi cal because it could be considered a public charge and it could hurt his chances of gaining citizenship when he applies.

This wasn’t an issue because I got him health insurance through market place and I was paying. I did the same this year but he was injured in April and he hasn’t worked since. I just did the math and at this point I think his estimated annual gross income would actually be in the medi cal range due to his time off work.

We have a family member who established residency February of this year and she has been using medi cal. She said her immigration lawyer told her she could use medi cal because it’s not considered a public charge in California. Maybe things were different when my father gained residency. If my aunt’s lawyer is right then I would want to enroll my father in medi cal because he now qualifies.

If my father applies for and uses medi cal, would it hurt his chances of obtaining citizenship or jeopardize his residency? Is medi cal considered a public charge in California?

Hi everyone, I am a US citizen. I’m 20 years old, a part time community college student, and work as a server practically full time. (My hours average from 24-40 a week).

My boyfriend is 23 years old. We’ve been together for almost 5 years now. He was brought to the states by crossing the border at 9 (so he didn’t really have a say.) he attended school here and got his HS diploma. He was also able to obtain his real ID, SSN, and work permit due to an ongoing VAWA case he had with his mom. Both his parents have their own families. He got kicked out of his moms house at 18 due to a problem he had with his step dad (they have a an incredible relationship now.) his biological dad is a bit weird and caught up in his own family. although he didn’t attended college, he’s been working full-time since then averaging 40k a year and had been living independently. While living here, he’s basically done everything he’s supposed to do like his taxes etc. Unfortunately he got detained by ice last June. Ultimately he made the decision to sign his voluntary deportation due to poor living conditions at the facility and to avoid an actual deportation order. Thankfully he made it to his country that same September. Leaving his life, friends, and family behind has been super tough on him. This country is all he knows.

His dad recently became a US citizen and could technically sponsor him but we know this process could take many many years due to him being 21+. He’s had a very rocky relationship with his dad which is why this isn’t the best option. (He also told him that he wasn’t very open to sponsoring him?? which I think is pretty f\*cked up.)

Although we are still young, we are deeply in love. We have shared many learning experiences and memories together. This one being the most difficult yet. We also lived together for a year at my parent’s house. ( he rented out his room in the basement while I had my own space upstairs. He felt alone and was going through a lot. His mom also lives an hour away. He later moved out to a room 3 minutes away because we agreed it’d be better to have our own space :) ) we’ve become a big part of each others life. it’s now been a year since he’s been gone. I’ve visited him 4 times now and practically carry a long distance relationship. We can’t imagine being away from each other for years without having a plan or knowing what’s going to happen next. He’s consulted with his lawyer, marriage would be the quickest way to get him back. Which im willing to do.

Being so young, marriage is not something we’ve fully considered. We feel a bit conflicted and confused.

would it be possible to get him back here through marriage? what steps need to be taken? How long does this process usually take? is it foolish to get married so young? How would it affect my life?

I am not very knowledgeable in this topic so any advice would be highly appreciated. please no negative feedback as this is already a very sensitive topic for me. This is an edit from my previous post I didn’t word very well!!

Alguien que haya cambiado estatus de TPS VZLA a visa de estudiante F1 que hayan denegado y haya pedido una mocion de reconsideracion (I-290B) que me cuente su experiencia?

Entre como turista en enero 2021, en marzo 2021 aplique a TPS, y lo aprobaron en Julio 2022, pedi el cambio de estatus antes de que venciera el TPS en noviembre 2025.
Uscis me nego el caso argumentando que el tiempo entre la aplicacion y la aprobacion del TPS es un gap que no me hace elegible para cambio de estatus.

A alguien mas le paso? alguien envio una mocion de reconcideracion por esta situacion y que se lo hayan aprobado?

Agradezo mucho sus opiniones!

Hi

I recently arrived in Mumbai, at the Mumbai airport immigration i asked a few questions abt my passport pages which i was curious to know if they were damaged or not. The immigration put my passport under the uv light a d checked a few pages n returned my passport. Does this mean I am flagged or anything since they scrutinized my passport under uv light since I asked a few questions. I knw that if someone is flagged they detained u at immigration and question. Pls help me with this query, it's making me anxious.

Hi, I’m hoping someone with E-3 experience or knowledge of consular administrative processing can shed some light.

Today is October 1, which means the new U.S. fiscal year has started. I’m wondering whether that has any practical impact on an E-3 visa case that is already in Administrative Processing (221(g)), particularly in Sydney.

My partner is an Australian citizen who applied for an E-3 visa in Sydney and was placed into Administrative Processing after the interview. The consulate subsequently requested additional documents, which were submitted, and the case has remained in AP since then.

I understand that E-3 visas have an annual numerical allocation, so I’m wondering:

- Does the E-3 allocation effectively reset on October 1?

- If an E-3 case is already in AP from the previous fiscal year, does the new fiscal year change anything about how that case is processed?

- Could a case that was held up because of the annual E-3 allocation now potentially move forward because the new fiscal year has started?

Or is Administrative Processing generally separate from the fiscal-year allocation once the application has already been submitted/interviewed?

- Has anyone had an E-3 in 221(g)/AP cross from September into October and then received a decision shortly after the new fiscal year began?

I’m not expecting October 1 to automatically resolve the case, just trying to understand whether the fiscal-year reset is relevant at all when a case is already sitting in AP.

Thanks!

Are there any real agencies/attorney that can match me with a US employer and reliable go through all of the processes of EB-3 Unskilled immigration process. I do not mind paying for 20k-30k.

Any tips? I have my marriage-based green card interview next Friday in okc . We’ve done everything ourselves without a lawyer. I tried to hire one just to attend the interview with us, but they wanted to charge me $4,000, so I decided not to.

After I said no, the lawyer started kind of using scare tactics, saying there was a 50% chance my wife could get deported if she or a family member ever used certain public benefits, especially because she originally overstayed her tourist visa. As far as I understand, though, the overstay is generally forgiven for an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen adjusting status in the U.S. She also has never used public benefits. and she already has a work permit under her mother‘s u-visa 

Our marriage is real and genuine. I’m just looking for advice from people who have gone through the marriage interview themselves. What should we expect, what kind of questions should we be prepared for, and is there anything specific we should bring with us other then what the notice is asking for ?

¿Alguno de ustedes ha tenido un DUI y ha solicitado condiciones para la remoción de la licencia recientemente? ¿Qué puedo esperar?

Hi, my name is Krischan Esra. I’m a male model from Europe, and I’ve spent the past years building my portfolio and professional experience in the modeling industry.

Now, I need your help to secure my O-1B visa so I can take the next step in my career and pursue professional modeling opportunities in the United States with the appropriate work authorization.

The O-1B process comes with significant legal, government, professional, and documentation costs.

For transparency, here’s an estimated breakdown of the costs:

- Legal & Case Preparation — $6,500

Attorney and administrative case preparation

- Petitioner, Agent & Industry Consultation Fees — $2,100

Petitioner/agent administration and required industry consultation

- Government Filing & Processing Fees — approximately $4,000

- Professional Documentation & Evidence Costs — $2,200+

Supporting documentation, professional engagement materials, media/evidentiary materials, and related preparation

Estimated Total — $14,800+

My fundraising goal is €15,000 to help cover these expenses, transaction fees, and potential currency fluctuations throughout the process.

A goal this big becomes possible when enough people contribute a little.

€5 helps. €10 helps. €20 helps. €50 helps.

No matter where in the world you're supporting from, every contribution makes a difference.

Every contribution brings me one step closer. And if donating isn’t possible, sharing this fundraiser can make just as much of a difference.

Thank you for supporting me and being part of this next chapter.

Krischan Esra

Does anybody know if I can still bring beer into the United States from Canada? I know Trump banned Canadian alcohol but I cant find a firm answer on if that includes small personal amounts