Cap Gap

Cap-Gap is a temporary extension of F-1 status and, when eligible, OPT work authorization for students whose OPT ends before their H-1B begins.

One thing students need to understand is this:

Just because your H-1B is approved does not mean you should assume your work authorization has been extended in SEVIS that same day.

The Cap-Gap must be reflected in the student’s SEVIS record, and sometimes that update happens later. I have seen cases where the H-1B was already approved, but the Cap-Gap was added to the SEVIS record weeks later.

That’s why students should not rely only on the H-1B approval notice. They need to confirm with their DSO that the Cap-Gap appears in SEVIS and request an updated I-20 showing the extension.

Bottom line: H-1B approval and SEVIS Cap-Gap update are connected, but they are not always visible at the same time.

Visit the here to learn more about the Cap Gap Extension.