Question: I have not done my final dissertation defense. Can I ask my advisor for a letter to indicate that I have completed all requirements for my Ph.D. degree?
I just got a job at a university, but to apply for the H1-b visa, the OIS needs "a letter from your registrar that you have completed all requirements". They assumed that Ph.D. is required for the position. Actually,this is a staff position, and in their job post, it states that "completed Ph.D. is strongly preferred" rather than essential.
The registrar at my school told me that it is impossible for them to write a letter of completion for me; The letter can only come from the department to indicate where I am in the process for completion. I will ask my advisor to write it. Can he write something like I am "(almost done with her degree requirements and ) will do her defense in several months. She will officially get her degree in December"? Or should the sentence in (almost done ...) be removed? Please advise. Thank you very much.