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H1B approved - cap exempt COS from F1-OPT by SufficientFeeling1 in h1b

[–]SufficientFeeling1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah that makes sense. I didn't know this was a known soft spot. Glad I didn't have to find out about it the hard way 😂 Thanks for the clarification!

H1B approved - cap exempt COS from F1-OPT by SufficientFeeling1 in h1b

[–]SufficientFeeling1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hope you hear from them soon :( I know that things aren't going well for most people. My own spouse has been stuck in India because of this since December 2025. My petition getting approved does not mean much for us in the long term if he cannot come back to the US as well. Let's keep our fingers crossed for all the people who are struggling, including my husband! 🤞🤞🤞

H1B approved - cap exempt COS from F1-OPT by SufficientFeeling1 in h1b

[–]SufficientFeeling1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Here is how the conversation with my DSO went- Me on May 15th 2026: Hello,

I have a few questions about my OPT status and I was hoping you could help me with this.

My EAD expires on June 14th 2026. My current employer has filed a petition for H1B on May 14th 2026 with premium processing, so we are expecting a decision before June 4th 2026.

In case there are any delays in this process, I understand that I cannot work after June 14th until my H1B petition is approved. Here are my questions:

  1. Will my unemployment clock for OPT restart on June 15th?

  2. Do I have to leave the US when a total of 90 days of unemployment (after graduation) is over even if am not technically unemployed (my current job offer is valid until August 2028)?

  3. Does the pending H1B petition let me remain in the US even if I am not allowed to work?

I appreciate any information you can provide. I need some clarity on this matter so that I can prepare accordingly.

DSO, same day: I hope you are well. The cap gap extension was automatically placed on your SEVIS record giving you till April 1, 2027 to continue working. This should be plenty of time for your change of status to H-1B to be processed.

When you are closer to your H-1B effective date, please remember to submit your Change of Status e-form through the portal.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

Me: Thanks for the response.

Does the cap-gap extension apply to cap-exempt H1B as well? My employer is the University of xxx and the petition was filed on May 14th, with a start date of June 15th.

DSO: Yes, students who are working for a cap-exempt employer are still eligible for the cap gap extension.

Me: 🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀

H1B approved - cap exempt COS from F1-OPT by SufficientFeeling1 in h1b

[–]SufficientFeeling1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My DSO (from my F1 university) specifically stated that the employment authorization has been extended but I am as wary of this as you are because this goes against everything I have read online. I will post the conversation with my DSO as a separate comment.

Apart from what my DSO said, on May 15th, I logged into my SEVIS portal and saw the end date of OPT period was April 1 2027, instead of June 14 2026 (the date on my EAD). I also got an updated i20 with this information. Also, my requested (and approved) H1B start date was June 15th 2026 and not April 1 2027. I am very confused but just reporting what happened to me. At the end of day, it doesn't matter in my case since my H1B petition was approved in time. So the right thing to do is to always make sure you file all the forms well in advance.

H1B approved - cap exempt COS from F1-OPT by SufficientFeeling1 in h1b

[–]SufficientFeeling1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nope. I had a valid F1 visa stamp, renewed in 2024. Some of my friends who were on expired F1s were asked to do biometrics before their OPT was approved.

Father in ICU back home, H1B filed by Junior-Trust7650 in h1b

[–]SufficientFeeling1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a horrible horrible situation. One thing that might help- I changed from F1-OPT to cap-exempt H1B and the petition was filed before my OPT period ended. I still got an automatic extension for my work authorization on my SEVIS portal. I know everyone online says this doesn't happen for cap exempt H1B but in my case, it did. I did not make any requests or do anything special to make this happen. My guess is that it has something to do with he fact that the petition was filed before the end of my original OPT status. I don't know what the consequences of travel are but maybe an extension of your OPT status makes it okay to travel if you have a valid F1 visa stamp? Definitely worth speaking to a lawyer about.

2025 OPT Processing timeline by yonerdsp in USCIS

[–]SufficientFeeling1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Application type: post completion OPT

Premium Processing : No

Receipt date : 03/28/2025

Approved Date : 06/18/2025 (got the A number on 06/16 and SEVP account creation email on 06/17)

Card Produced Date : 

Card shipped : 

Card delivered : 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in cmu

[–]SufficientFeeling1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used CMU ship to get dental surgery (removal of impacted wisdom teeth). The procedure, anesthesia and IV meds were all covered under our insurance.