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H-1B Visas and Gap Cap Extension

H-1B Cap Gap Extension

What is the H-1B “Cap Gap?”

It is a provision made law on April 8, 2008, which benefits F-1 students who are sponsored for an H-1B by cap-subject employers.

Most students are aware that the U.S. government makes a limited number of H-1Bs available each year, or in other words, they put a “cap” on the number available.  For those working for cap-subject employers, the applications for these cap-subject H-1Bs may be submitted as early as 1 April each year, but if they are accepted do not become effective until the following 1 October.

There are exceptions for certain employers who are not subject to the cap.  These exceptions are called “cap exempt.”  They include higher education, certain non-profits related to or affiliated with higher education, and certain non-profit or governmental research organizations.  If an H-1B petition will be submitted for you by any such institution, then the “Cap Gap” does not apply to you and the rest of this document is not relevant to your situation.

In the past, students who either graduated and/or were on OPT that ended before the H-1B became effective on 1 October might find themselves having to stop employment for several weeks or even months.  Others actually had to leave the U.S. because there was more than 60 days between graduation or the end of OPT and 1 October.

There now exists a way by which some F-1 students may be eligible to either (1) remain inside the U.S. waiting for the H-1B to become effective on 1 October and/or (2) continue existing employment until 1 October. 

Ultimately, please check with the DSO (DSO) to verify that your situation really does qualify for the Cap Gap; do not make an assumption.  And do not compare your situation to a friend’s or coworker’s; small differences may impact whether one person qualifies for the Cap Gap and another does not.

How do I qualify for the Cap Gap?

You as the student must meet the following criteria:

  • Must never have violated the terms of your F-1 status,
  • Your employer filed your H-1B petition in a timely way (i.e. during the H-1B filing period that begins 1 April each year, and while still maintaining F-1 status),
  • Your H-1B petition requests an employment start date of 1 October, and
  • the H-1B petition requests a change of status to H-1B (rather than “consular processing”)

Who is not eligible for the Cap Gap?

You are not eligible for Cap Gap coverage if your H-1B petition is filed by:

  • An institution of higher education
  • A non-profit organization related to or affiliated with higher education
  • A non-profit research or governmental research organization

This is because these employers can file an H-1B at any time, there are no limits to the number of H-1B’s available to them, and they also have the option to request premium (expedited) processing.  You need to make sure you and your employer are thinking ahead and that the H-1B petition is filed well in advance of the end of your OPT.  Once your OPT ends, you only have 60 days to remain inside the U.S.  If your H-1B is not approved and effective by the end of those 60 days, you will be required to depart the U.S.

Do I get any documentation to show I am covered by the Cap Gap?

Yes, but only if you contact DSO at pgerlach@coe.edu to request it. The DSO does not receive automatic notification if someone on OPT is approved for H-1B status.

Will I be able to work during the Cap Gap?

Yes, if you meet the following criteria:

  • You have never violated the terms of your F-1 status,
  • Your employer filed your H-1B petition in a timely way
  • Your H-1B petition requests an employment start date of 1 October,
  • The H-1B petition requests a change of status to H-1B (rather than “consular processing”),
  • You are on valid OPT at the time the H-1B petition was received by USCIS (i.e. 1 April), although it is okay if the OPT expires after the petition was received,
  • Your H-1B petition was accepted by USCIS for receipting, or you were informed you are on the waitlist, or you are still waiting to hear, and
  • You obtain an extended Cap Gap I-20, which you must show to your Cap Gap employer as proof you are eligible to continue the employment
  • If all of the above applies to you, you can keep working until the new end date on your updated I-20, unless your H-1B is not selected for receipting, is denied, withdrawn, or otherwise revoked.  In this case, your OPT Cap Gap employment must end within 10 days.

EADs (the OPT cards) are not issued or updated for the Cap Gap.

How long is my Cap Gap extension valid?

It depends on the status of your H-1B petition. Students who filed on time but are waiting to hear back, students who were selected for receipting, and students who were put on the wait list will all have different extension periods. The DSO will determine, based on information put in SEVIS by USCIS, what your Cap Gap extension end date will be.

Will I automatically receive a new I-20 from the DSO?

No.  You must contact the DSO to request the updated I-20.

Must I be on OPT to get the Cap Gap coverage?

No.  For example, if you graduate in May and do not apply for OPT, as long as you meet the Cap Gap eligibility criteria listed above, you are legally able to stay in the U.S. waiting for your H-1B to become effective on 1 October.  You just cannot be working during this period.

What if my OPT ended before my H-1B was filed?

Same answer.  As long as your H-1B was filed on 1 April, your H-1B was received within the 60-day grace period following your OPT, and you meet the other qualifying criteria, you are legally able to stay in the U.S. waiting for your H-1B to become effective on 1 October.  You just cannot be working during this period.

What if I learn my H-1B was rejected or denied?

You have 60 days to remain in the U.S.  You must either depart the U.S. before the end of the 60-day period, transfer to begin a new degree program within 5 months, or change to another non-immigrant status.

How will the Cap Gap impact my driver’s license?

Unfortunately, you probably will not be able to renew it, at least not until you receive the updated I-20 to cover the “gap.”  Each state has different license issuance rules, but overall most will require you to show proof that you are legally able to stay during the Cap Gap period.  That proof will be the updated I-20, and as mentioned above for students on OPT. The DSO is not able to intervene or write letters, etc. to driver’s license departments; they will not accept such documentation as evidence of your continued legal status.

Can I travel outside the U.S. during the Cap Gap?

According to USCIS, no.  If your OPT is expired and you are now covered by the Cap Gap, you should not leave the U.S. as you will not be permitted to re-enter in F-1 status.  Instead, you would have to apply for an H-1B visa at a consular post abroad, and would not be able to re-enter the U.S. until 1 October.

Does unemployment matter during the Cap Gap?

Yes.  If you were already on OPT, you are still restricted to a total of no more than 90 days unemployment (during initial 12-month OPT) or 120 days (12 month+17 month OPT extension).

* This form was adapted from http://international.uiowa.edu/isss/current/employment/opt/h1-b