F-1 OPT to H1 visa

[mroels]

Hi,

I'm on a F1 student visa and just starting my OPT period. Most of the job offers i'm getting are independent contractor 1099 jobs. Do i need to have W2 employment in order to get sponsored and receive H1b status or can i also work as an independent contractor/consultant?

thank you for any info

 

[mroels]

yes i realize that i will need to have a job offer before going for the H1 status but what i am unclear about is if i accept a IC/1099 job right now, whether or not that company can actually sponsor me for H1B when my OPT runs out. because most of the financial consulting firms that i am getting offers for right now have no idea if they can sponsor me since technically i won't be an employee but have my own business

 

[mroels]

ok thanks...so if i understand you correctly...i can get a job as an independent contractor right now but can only be sponsored if they "upgrade" me to a W2 permanent employee position?!!

let me know if i'm wrong....otherwise, once again thanks for the clarification