OPT and H1

[diablo]

I am currently on OPT (ends in July). My employer will be applying for my H1B in masters quota in May 1st,2008. So from July to October I will be working from India.

1)Can somebody tell me, if my H1B is approved, what is the earliest I can go to a US consulate to get my Visa Stamped?

2)Also what is the significance of October 1st. If my visa is approved in July, can I get a visa stamping done in July?

[Subramanya]

H1 march

I am currently on OPT (ends in July). My employer will be applying for my H1B in masters quota in May 1st,2008. So from July to October I will be working from India.

---- April 1, 2008 is the date adn not May 1, 2008. If you adn your employer are under that impression of May 1, 2008 then you have lost your chance

1)Can somebody tell me, if my H1B is approved, what is the earliest I can go to a US consulate to get my Visa Stamped?

---- You can go the US consulate for a Visa interview only after you receive your H1 approval notice in hand and not before that

2)Also what is the significance of October 1st. If my visa is approved in July, can I get a visa stamping done in July

---- It is the start of the fiscal year in the US. Rest as above

Subramanya

[immihelp]

If your petition is filed on May 1, you may not get it. Master's quota may be exhausted by then.

1. You can go at any time you like.

2. You would be subject fiscal year 2009 H1B cap and that fiscal year start on Oct 1, 2008.

[diablo]

Thanks Subramanya and immihelp. I appreciate it. I am not sure if my employer is applying for H1b on May 1st. May be they are applying on April 1st.

I had one more question to ask. If I get my visa stamped in say July(Once I get the approval notice in hand) for the next fiscal year Oct 1,2008 onwards, what is the earliest I can fly to US?