H1B academic to H1B Industry

[csaxena88]

Hi,

I am working in an university and want to switch to an industry job. I am on h1b academic. Can anybody who has switched from non profit visa to regular visa, please share their experience?

What time should I start applying for jobs in industry? Obviously, I wouldn't want to tell this in my office until I find another job and have H1B from them, so I am confused that how and when to start the process? Should I have an offer by March, so that they can apply for my H1B in April? How does it work?

[kabkaba]

Such a transfer will be subject to annual H1B cap which is closed right now. It will open Oct 1 next year (2014) and employers can start filing the petitions on Apr 1, 2014. You will not be able to start working before Oct 1, so you will need to find an employer who is willing to wait from Apr 1 to Oct 1.