H1-B quota : Please help

pj6

New Member
Hi!

I understand that the new H1-B quota effective from October 2003 will be much less than the current quota. I had two questions about this and would appreciate your help:

1. I was on H1-B and then switched to F-1. Currently I am on OPT. When I apply for H1-B again will my application be counted against the quota?

2. My OPT is valid till July 2004. If I apply for H1-B in November 2003 do I risk the quota being used up?

3. How early can one apply for an H1-B i.e. if I want an H1-B to be effective from Feb 2004 can I apply for it today. If not how early can I apply for it?

Thanks
 
Q1. I was on H1-B and then switched to F-1. Currently I am on OPT. When I apply for H1-B again will my application be counted against the quota?

A1. Yes, it will count against the 2004 quota.

Q2. My OPT is valid till July 2004. If I apply for H1-B in November 2003 do I risk the quota being used up?

A2. It's very unlikely that the quota would be used up that rapidly. Even in 2000 the quota was not used until March and there are certainly far fewer new H-1s being filed now than there were in 2000.

Q3. How early can one apply for an H1-B i.e. if I want an H1-B to be effective from Feb 2004 can I apply for it today. If not how early can I apply for it?

A3. 6 months normally.
 
Hi Jim, I thought f to h visas were not counted against the quota... Maybe a confusion about the provisions on my part...
 
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