Forms » OPT-H1B CAP GAP

 The H-1B Cap Gap is a regulation which gives relief for those students who have  made a timely application to change status to H-1B. The regulation states that  duration of status and work authorization will be extended for a student on OPT, who is  the beneficiary of a timely filed H-1B petition requesting an employment start date of  October 1 of the following fiscal year. This applies to all students on OPT, not just  STEM students. The extension of duration of status and work authorization would  automatically terminate upon the rejection, denial, or revocation of the H-1B petition  filed on the student's behalf.  Extension of the I-20 to reflect the extension of work  permission through October 1 is NOT REQUIRED but can be requested.

For more information, please see: USCIS H1B Cap Gap

Request workflow:

  1. Submit all required documents (see below) to OIE.
  2. An OIE advisor will contact SEVIS to have your F-1 record updated. The update is dependent upon USCIS and processing times are outside of our control.
  3. After the record is updated, OIE will print you a new I-20 that reflects the new end date of your F1 status and OPT.

Cost:

 Free.

Forms/Documents

OPT-H1B Cap Gap Form

OPT Status Maintenance Form