OPT grace period ending before April 1st, what to do?

[Kush]

Hello,

   I am currently in the US working on F1-OPT status. My STEM extension is already going on and it will expire on Dec 31st 2015. My current job also ends in Dec 2015. I have not found a new job yet and hence did not apply for H1-B in April this year (2015). 

 

I am looking for a new job and suppose I get something. Then the problem is that I can petition for H1 only on April 1st 2016. Now my OPT ends on Dec 31st 2015 and I have less than 90 days grace period left.

 

So does this mean that I will have to leave the country before April 1st, then hopefully my employer will file for H1 on April 1st and if it gets approved I can return back on Oct 1st? Is this possible? Is there any way I can continue to stay and work in US? 

 

Thanks,

Kush.

 

[jairichi]

That is the only way possible.