Another issue is that I need to pay $8000 to school for CPT
-Why? I have never hear such requirement for CPT. Of course, you need to pay the tuition during the CPT, and $8,000 is for the tuition, right? If so, that is OK.
At the same time, I am considering J. With J, it is quick. However, I need to do the waiver.
-J1 is not quick at all for you to work. Change of status from your F1 to J1 may take 2 to 3 months or more for USCIS to approve it and aslo not premium processing for this status change. So, it is nearly the same time spent as you change your F1 to H1. You can not work before the J1 is approved. So, only chance for you to work immedaitely is CPT, and then, ask the employer to file H1.
Also, can any people tell me how to apply J visa without home residence requirement?
-You may apply for J1 short-term scholar (less than 6 month) which is not sujected to the two year resident requirement. You may ask a lawyer to help you.
See:
http://www.issso.uh.edu/j1/shorttermandspecialists.html
