How many month before the H1B staring date am I eligible to apply

[H1Bneeded]

My OPT starts on 12/18/06 and expires on 12/17/07. I want to apply for H1B to continue to work after my OPT expire. Considering the H1B cap and the H1B processing time, when will be the best time to ask my company to apply? Can you suggest a timeframe?
Personally I think the earlier, the safer. But I don’t know how many month before the H1B staring date I am eligible to apply? or there is no such limit? If I apply now (Jan 07), can I request H1B to start on 12/16/07?
Also, how long does it take for H1B to process

Thanks in advance!!

 

[GotPR?]

. But I don’t know how many month before the H1B staring date I am eligible to apply? or there is no such limit? If I apply now (Jan 07), can I request H1B to start on 12/16/07?

H1 can be filed 6 months prior to start date. If you want to set start date on 12/16/07, the earliest you can file is 6/16/07.. It might be too late according to observation of this year's H1.