Hi all,

I am currently working at a university as a researcher and they'd like to sponsor me to become a J-1 researcher. My OPT expires on early Jan 2010; if I go back home to apply for the visa next month (Nov 2010) and my J-1 get rejected, will I lose my F-1 OPT too if I still have the same employment? - I want to come back to pack my belongings at the very least.

Also, I have been invited to provide consulting to a project that is not directly related to my J-1 program at company #2- if that new project (company #2, consulting) is willing to sponsor for a part-time H-1B for me, can I have both the J-1 and part-time H1B at the same time? If not, under what circumstances will I be able to receive payment from company #2 legally while keeping my employment as a J-1 researcher?