Hey Guys,
I am graduating this August and i have no idea when should i start my OPT from. Which one is better - start OPT from August and keep working right after graduation , or Start OPT from October or Septemvber. I am planning to go through some consultant as i already spent lot of time searching for a job myself with no luck.

Any ideas!!!!! .

But i will have to file for my OPT within 2 weeks if i want to start my OPT from August. It takes almost 90 days for processing as i heard.. I am just concerned on the grace period when i cannot work .. So little confused now..

Any Ideas!!!!!!

If you get a job offer, I think ur intl office should be able to expedite the OPT application process and you will get ead card within couple weeks, regardless 90 days is little far fetched and you should get the card within 1-2 months if you apply without a job offer letter. As far as when to start, if you don't have a job yet it's better to start from Oct 1, just to avoid the gap next year when your OPT expires and H1 starts, if you don't have any h1 aspirations however and are going for grad school or sth then you should startOPT sooner.

Thanks Crystal and unknown,
I am also thinking to start from october1st. But the only reason i was thinking to start early was that if some company interviews me now they would not wait for me to start working from october. But i didnt knew about ead card .. If that is the case then i may be still okay to apply for OPT later for october..
Thanks again

when is the best time to graduate? june or dec.
also how long must you wait for OPT upon your graduation?

confuse

given the consequences of H-1B, i suggest you to start OPT on October 1st, 2007 until September 31, 2008. It will ensure that you won't have any issues in the 2008 H-1B

Thanks Santoshgiri,
i think i would start my OPT date from Oct 1st to be in safer side . The only Problem for me would be to manage my financial situation till October. Thats better than having any problem later next year.

Once again Thanks a lot guys for the information.

ya when ever u get a job even if you have an opt from august and if u want to apply for h1 next year u will have 60 days grace period that should be fine to keep you in status until u get the h1 approval. good luck.

you said you are going graduate in Aug so , you can work in school 20hr. Appy for OPT Oct 1st.

Saan dai

Thanks enigma and Saan Dai ,
i really appreciate your feedback.. Now i am thinking to start my OPT from October. So those two months from August to October i can give for a job search. However i am looking for a job from now.. Just worried as no on campus job for this summer . So i will have a huge amount in my Credit card :D ..Anyway thats fine...
Again Thank you so much