Need help 5th yr of H1B !!!!!!!!!!!

[rm02]

Hi,

I am working for a big company amd I am in my 5th year of H1B. Because of cost-cutting and hiring freeze,my company is not going to sponsor GC. My H1B cap-out-date is Dec 1 2010. I think I have to file for GC by Dec 1 2009 to get an H1B extension. This looks tough with the current situations now. Can anyone suggest me, how much does the cost of GC process run if I have to do it personally without the employer and what category does it fall under.
Are there any options other that going back to India ?

[txh1b]

You cannot self-sponsor. You need an employer.

[rm02]

what happens in a scenario like, my employer cannot start GC processing by Dec 2009 and they apply sometime in 2010, does it still mean I have to leave the country for atleast a year.