Guys,
One more thread for h1B and OPT. I will be graduating this May in Engineering, which I cannot defer to summer. The h1B quota for FY2008 starts from this April, which, according to last years data, may finish after two months. There are two options for me, first find a consultancy and apply h1 visa from them this year OR start OPT from july, do job search after graduation, and find DIRECT job. However, in this second option, we will have at least three months gap because, at its best, OPT starts from 1st July 2007 to 1st july 2008. Threre will be 3 months gap between opt and h1B start date. So, what do you guys think which option is better?

hi dude,
I am also graduating in May
I am starting my OPT from June sirst
I suggest you to contact some consultant and apply this year caps only
by the way you are grad student or undergraduate
I don't no much abt undergraduate application
hope that helps

in most cases OPT is definately better option.. after your opt expires u get 60 days grace period to get new status or leave the country.

I had heard they were going to change the OPT duration to be 14 months.... this is a crappy system.... you are out of luck either way dude!!!

your best option is to begin your OPT as late as possible, and go to Nepal for two months in Aug-Sept next year (and be jobless) and come in as H1b again.....

you should graduate in december, can you just take 1 class your last semester and push grauduation until december!!! you can do the walk in may if you'd like!!! I doesn't have to be the same semester you graduate!!

hope this helps.

Let me add one more question to Raiter Baje's question (if I may),

what are the advantages of doing OPT compared to H1B?

Gohtalo,
So, you are applying for your h1B this year. I think this is also not a bad option for us. However, the downside of this is we donot have time for job search and have to go to desi consultancies, which may not be the occupation of our interest.

Latoboy and Hsinam,
Is it mandetory that we have to leave this country after the 60 days grace period. In my case the gap is 90 days. I heard that if we did premium processing, we can stay in US without working. Not sure though!
The international service here make us apply for OPT once the course work is finished. We must take 3 cr. min. in the last sem which I am doing now. So, they say that even if I defer my graduation for fall or summer, I must apply for OPT now. thats why every thing is screwed up.

Any more opinions guys??

Raascal,
OPT can be viewed as complementary of h1B since it allows you sufficient time to find job, and get your work permit, that is h1B.