Hello all,

I am graduating in May 2008 with Master's degree,but already have fulfilled (December  2007)all the requirements for my Master's degree,that is,I will get my  certificate of US Master's degree in May only.I  already have applied for OPT which starts from March 17.Now ,I am wondering if I will be eligible to apply for H1B this year which is normally applied in April.I know I will be out of OPT term next year,so can't apply for H1B in 2009.Does anyone know exactly what documents are required for applying H1B?Or will I be able to apply for H1B in this situation?Any suggestion and information regarding this will be greatly appreciated.Thanks in advance!

I also went thru' the same situation but my opt was started from mid of May,07 ....well, i suggest u to find the company as soon within' February because it takes sometime to look lawyer and arrange the documents....then file the H-1B on April 1......u r lucky in the sense you don have to wait the passing of quota like me. I wish my Opt was before April last year..else....all the best man..

Thanks silence43 for your suggestion,but I still have confusion regarding my situation...

Can I  apply for H1B,even if I do NOT have the certificate of my degree( MS for my case),provided that I get the OPT prior to my graduation ?My particular case is I am getting the certificate on May  2008 only,but I will get my OPT,if approved, on March,because I have already satisfied all the requirement for MS degree.Will you mind clarifying me ,if you know about this situation?

well man. i think for H-1b , first u need to have job in hand. but, I;m not sure u can still apply with a letter from your dean and unofficial transcript that u r graduating on may and later on USCIS will ask to send u the original transcript bby june/july when ur H-1b is processsing.....but how truth is this thing need to analyzed....because this option also i came to know from some other guys around.....

thanx again for your info

Hey home run ....Hi let me add something here....

Yes you can apply for H1B if u had completed all your requirements of Masters....
If you are working and your employer is doing your H1B then its fine u r in and u will definitely make it.
If no work/ your employer is not doing ur H1B then find any consulting company who will file H1B for you ...u might have to work with him for couple of months...

About documents require have to ask the Lawyer who is doing your H1B process.

hey silence43 how r u doing man ...timro problem solve bhayo ta....

home run:

You should have graduated in Dec 2007 itself and applied for H1B in this April 08. Why did you waited to graduate in May when you have completed everything. You jsut put yourself in confusion. I am not sure if you can apply for masters quota without having a Certifate on hand.

You should have done some research before you plan to graduate. you should have come for suggestion to Sajha 6 months ago. I would have suggested you to graduate in Dec 2007, everything would have been fine.

Tha nks

Thanx guys for suggestions.....

My situation is unusual....as a matter of fact,I never planned to get this degree.....it is a kinda  unfortunate....the day when I was kinda forced to decide,the deadline for applying the graduation for the fall was found to be already gone....all these happened unexpectedly and all of sudden......

Anyway,I am looking ahead positively..........but I am not working or haven't got anyone/anything else ...as far as the job/H1B are concerned....I am worrying about those consulting companies...where can they be found?if you guys have real-life experience ,please let me know...would greatly appreciate.