Applying for H1-B before degree completion>>

[dsm918]

I have a couple of questions.

I will be graduating with a bachelors degree on the 4th of August 2006. I have already accepted a job offer and plan to start mid-august. I am planning to start my OPT around mid-august to enable me to work as my H1B gets processed. My question is:

1. Can my employer file for my H1B visa starting this april (2006) or do they need me to have a bachelors degree before they can apply.

2. If they can't apply now I guess the earliest will be april 2007. In that case is it better to delay my OPT start date by 2 months (mid-october) so that it enables me to work till october 2007 instead of august 2007?


Thanks

 

[GotPR?]

1) I believe you need degree.
2) You have 60days grace period which covers til Oct 1 if your OPT ends mid-august, but I think it's safer to delay OPT to let it cover Oct 1. That way, you are for sure on status upon Oct 1, and your change of status will not have issues.