company sponsoring H1B - take or deny and use OPT?

[cheena]

I'm a grad student in Computer science and I will be graduating in May 2013. I got a job offer from a reputed MNC and I will be starting my work right after I graduate (3rd week of May). Couple of days back I got an email from Fragomen on behalf of my company asking me to submit all the documents so that they can apply for H1B in April when the slots are open.

When I told my friends about this, they told me to take OPT and stay in OPT for 18 - 20 months and then ask the company to apply for H1B. This way I can save a lot of money since on OPT the tax is less.

What do you think I should do?

Is it a good idea to delay H1B processing?
How does it affect in a long run ? like in getting a green card if I want to stay in US.
I'm in a dilemma, please give your comments guys.
Thanks

 

[Aayitrun]

in opt u will save tax, but there is no obligation for the company to pay u your designated salary as there is no wage requirements for opt like h1.

you cannot start gc processing on opt.

if ur company lets u go in say september and all h1 slots are filled for the year, other company canNOT do h1 transfer.

your company may not be e-verified and therefore opt may be only 12 months.

people can be penny wise and pound foolish when it comes to taxation and immigration.