H-1B Cap-Gap Status Tracker

Know exactly where you stand — employment authorization, travel rules, and action items for each petition stage.

Cap-Gap vs. 240-Day Rule (Different!): The cap-gap is only for F-1 → H-1B transitions and runs until September 30. The 240-day rule applies to H-1B holders extending their status with the same employer — not to students.

Select Your Current Stage

⏳

Stage 1: OPT Active — H-1B Filed & Selected, Pending

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Stage 2: OPT Expired — Cap-Gap In Effect (Petition Pending)

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Stage 3: H-1B Approved — Starting October 1

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Stage 4: Not Selected in Lottery

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Stage 5: H-1B Petition Denied After Cap-Gap

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Your H-1B Petition Is Pending — OPT Active

You can continue working on your current OPT EAD until it expires OR until October 1, whichever comes first.

⚠️ Critical Warning: Do NOT travel internationally while your H-1B COS petition is pending. You will lose the change of status and must get an H-1B visa stamp at a consulate abroad.

✅ Action Checklist

You received an I-797 Receipt Notice — keep it at all times.

Your cap-gap extension begins automatically when your OPT EAD expires.

If OPT expires before Oct 1: Cap-gap extension kicks in and covers you until Sep 30.

Travel outside the U.S. while H-1B is pending will ABANDON the Change of Status request.

Employer must mark Form I-9 correctly — note the cap-gap extension category.

Full F-1 → H-1B Timeline

March–April

H-1B registration window opens (USCIS). Pay $215 registration fee.

April

USCIS announces lottery selection results via My Account portal.

April–June

If selected: employer files full H-1B petition (I-129). OPT must be valid at time of filing.

April–Sep 30

OPT valid → work as normal. Cap-gap activates when OPT expires.

October 1

H-1B status begins (FY2026 start). Get new I-94. Old OPT EAD expires.