uk_wildcats, H1-B quota is over for this year. If your H1-B did not get approved this year, than your employer is LYING saying within Oct it will be approved. If your H1-B had been approved this year, than you would start working on H1 beginning Oct 1. I am assuming you just finished your undergrad degree and want to do Masters now. You can file for H1 again in 2008. The window will open on April 1, 2008 and within 1-2 days, the quota will be over. Not only that, but due to too many H1 applicants, USCIS will pick the lucky ones through a lottery system. Good Luck!