what happens if i enroll in a course during cap gap

When do I need to take my cap coursework?

UT Austin requires you to take all of your required CAP coursework while you are enrolled for the fall and spring semesters at your selected UT System school (except UTSA and UTA ). Courses taken during a “mini-mester” or “Maymester” at your UT System school will not count toward the 30-hour requirement.

What happens if I don't get into a major at Cap?

If you aren't admitted to that major (and meet program requirements), you will still be admitted to a guaranteed major in Liberal Arts. (Architecture majors are not available to CAP students for competitive transfer.

What is the cap gap extension for F-1 students?

The cap gap extension allows for some F-1 students to extend their F-1 status and/or authorized period of post-completion OPT until they transition to the H-1B status on Oct. 1. This means an F-1 student filing for H1-B status on April 1 with a benefit start date of Oct. 1 may qualify for an extension of status and/or employment authorization.

What happens after I complete the online CAP agreement?

If you complete and submit the online CAP agreement, we will send your application materials to the UT System school you select. Why wasn’t I offered admission to some of the UT System schools?

Can I apply for STEM OPT during cap gap?

STEM OPT Extensions Students who are eligible for a cap-gap extension of post-completion OPT employment and F-1 status may apply for a STEM OPT extension during the cap-gap extension period.

How does a cap gap work?

A Cap-Gap extension is a regulatory provision which extends an eligible F-1 student's status to bridge the gap between the end of F-1 OPT or OPT STEM work authorization and start of H-1B status, thereby allowing the student to remain in the US during the "gap."

What does gap on cap mean?

Cap Gap is the time between the official end-date listed on your Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) and the official start date of an H-1B non-immigrant visa.

Can I be unemployed during cap gap?

Yes, the 90-day unemployment limit continues during the cap gap extension period. For students on STEM OPT, the 150-day unemployment limit continues during the cap gap extension period.

Do I need to apply for cap gap extension?

You do not have to apply for a cap gap extension. USCIS informs SEVIS of the H-1B application and SEVIS updates your I-20 record with a note about the extension of F-1 status and employment eligibility.

Can we transfer SEVIS during cap gap?

You can transfer your record during post-completion OPT or in the 60-day grace period following your OPT end date. However, transferring your SEVIS record while on OPT will automatically cancel any remaining OPT time, even if the date on your EAD is in the future.

What is cap gap for H-1B?

The cap refers to the limit on the number of individuals who can receive H-1B status every fiscal year. The gap is the period between the end of an individual's F-1 status and the beginning of the individual's H-1B status.

What is Gap penalty in bioinformatics?

A Gap penalty is a method of scoring alignments of two or more sequences. When aligning sequences, introducing gaps in the sequences can allow an alignment algorithm to match more terms than a gap-less alignment can. However, minimizing gaps in an alignment is important to create a useful alignment.

What happens if you are unemployed for more than 90 days on OPT?

If you exceed the 90 days of unemployment, you will no longer be in a valid immigration status, and this can both affect your ability to remain in the US, and may mean ineligibility for future immigration benefits (such as a change of status to H-1B), or denial of a future visa application.

What happens if stem extension is denied?

Normally, if your OPT/STEM OPT Extension is rejected, you must file a completely new application withUSCIS. If the application is rejected after your filing deadline (the end of the 60-day grace period for OPT; end of the OPT EAD for STEM OPT) refiling would normally be denied.

How long can I stay on OPT without a job?

Federal law limits how long F-1 students on post-completion optional practical training (OPT) or science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) OPT can be unemployed. The limits are: Post-completion OPT: 90 days. STEM OPT: 150 days, which includes any days accrued while on post-completion OPT.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click on these questions to link to the answers below: 1. What is an H-1B? 2. What is the H-1B Cap? 3. What is a Cap-Gap Extension & who is eligibl...

What Is A Cap-Gap Extension & Who Is Currently Eligible?

A cap-gap extension is a regulatory provision which extends an eligible F-1 student's status to bridge the gap between the end of F-1 status and st...

How Do I Apply For A Cap-Gap Extension I-20?

There are two types of cap-gap extensions: 1. For H-1B petitions that have been filed and receipted 2. For H-1B petitions that have been filed but...

How Long Will The Cap-Gap Extension Request take?

Berkeley International Office will submit the cap-gap request to SEVIS within five (5) business days of the receipt of your SSU request form, provi...

What Happens If My H-1B Is Rejected, Withdrawn, Or Denied After Applying For The Cap-Gap Extension?

If the student's H-1B is not selected, or is withdrawn, denied or revoked the student will have the standard 60-day grace period from the date of t...

Can I Travel During A Cap-Gap Extension Period and Still Return With My Opt I-20 and EAD?

Please note, traveling outside the US may interfere with the processing of your H-1B petition. Berkeley International Office strongly advises stude...

What If My Opt Expires Before April 1st? Will The Preliminary Or Automatic Cap-Gap Extension Extend My Opt?

Although your F-1 status would be extended if you are in your 60-day grace period when the petition is filed, your OPT employment authorization per...

What If My Original Opt Expires and My Cap-Gap Extension Data Fix Is Still Pending With SEVIS Help Desk?

Your post-completion OPT is automatically extended, whether you apply for the cap-gap extension I-20 or not. Therefore, you are allowed to continue...

What If My Preliminary Cap Gap Extension Until June 1 Expires and My H-1B Is Not Yet approved?

If your H-1B has not yet been accepted for processing and receipted, BIO cannot extend your Cap Gap OPT past June 1 unless you can provide proof th...

What If My Regular Cap Gap Extension Until Sept 30 Expires and My H-1B Is Not Yet approved?

If your H-1B has not yet been accepted for processing and receipted, BIO cannot extend your Cap Gap past OPT Sept 30 unless you can qualify for and...

When does the F-1 cap gap expire?

Department of Homeland Security established regulations that automatically extend F-1 status and, if applicable, post-completion OPT employment authorization from April 1 to Sept. 30 for eligible F-1 students. We call this the cap gap extension.

What happens if a student leaves the US before USCIS approves their H-1B COS petition?

Meaning, if a student leaves the United States before USCIS approves their H-1B COS petition, that student will not be able to re-enter the United States as an F-1 student pursuant to the cap gap extension provisions. Your H-1B petition and request for change of status has been approved by USCIS.

When is an authorized period of post-completion OPT?

You are in an authorized period of post-completion OPT (including the STEM OPT extension) on the date your potential employer files your H-1B petition.

When do you maintain your F-1 status?

You are maintaining your F-1 status on the date your potential employer files your H-1B petition.

Is an F-1 visa admissible?

You are otherwise admissible (e.g., you have all proper documentation including a valid, signed Form I-20 and an F-1 visa).

Who decides whether to grant admission into the United States?

port of entry, the final decision on whether to grant admission into the United States lies with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers. Visit our Getting to the United States page and CBP’s website for more information regarding the appropriate travel documents and supporting evidence required for entry into in the United States.

Can an F-1 student be an H-1B?

Each year, some F-1 students seek to switch nonimmigrant classification from F-1 student status to H-1B temporary employment status after completing a program of study or post-completion optional practical training (OPT). An F-1 student’s current or prospective employer may petition USCIS for H-1B status on their behalf by filing Form I-129, “Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker.”

When does the cap gap end?

The “cap-gap” period starts when an F-1 student’s status and employment authorization expires and, unless terminated, ends on Oct. 1, the required start date of the H-1B cap-subject petition filed on their behalf if seeking cap-gap authorization. Cap-gap occurs because an employer may not file, and USCIS may not accept, ...

What is cap gap extension?

The cap-gap extension of OPT is automatic for eligible students. A student does not file an application for the extension or receive a new Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to cover the additional time. The only proof of continued employment authorization currently available to an affected student is an updated Form I-20 showing an extension of OPT, issued to the student by their Designated School Official (DSO). This document serves as proof of continued employment authorization.

What to do if USCIS does not receive withdrawal request?

If USCIS does not receive the withdrawal request before the date that the student is supposed to change status to an H-1B nonimmigrant, then the student will need to stop working, file Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, to request F-1 status, and wait until the change of status request is approved before resuming OPT employment.

How long is the F-1 grace period?

The 60-day grace period does not apply to an F-1 student whose accompanying change of status request is denied due to a status violation, misrepresentation, or fraud. In such cases, the F-1 student is ineligible for cap-gap extension of status and the 60-day grace period. Similarly, the 60-day grace period and cap-gap extension of status does not apply to an F-1 student whose petition was revoked based on a finding of a status violation, fraud or misrepresentation discovered following approval. In both of these instances, students are required to immediately leave the United States.

Can an F-1 student travel outside the US?

However, if an F-1 student travels outside the United States while the H-1B petition and the change of status request remain pending the request for change of status will be considered abandoned.

Do F-1 students need to leave the US?

F-1 students who do not qualify for a cap-gap extension and whose periods of authorized stay expire before Oct. 1 are required to leave the United States. They then need to apply for an H-1B visa at a consular post abroad, if applicable, and seek to be readmitted into the United States in H-1B status for the dates reflected on the approved H-1B petition.

Can I work while I update my I-20?

In such situations, the student can continue to work while the update to their Form I-20 is being processed. Because the cap-gap extension is automatic, the updated Form I-20 is not required for a student to continue working; it merely serves as proof of the extension of OPT employment authorization.

What is the Cap Gap Extension?

The Cap Gap Extension is an extension of the work authorization given to F-1 international students who are currently on post-completion OPT/STEM OPT at the time an H-1B cap-subject petition is filed on their behalf, by a sponsoring US employer.

Who is eligible for the Cap Gap Extension?

To be eligible for the extension, an F-1 student on OPT/STEM OPT must meet ALL of the following

Who is NOT eligible for the Cap Gap

Scenario A: An employer files a cap-subject H-1B petition with USCIS on May 10, 2021, on behalf of an F-1 student on OPT that ends on June 1, 2021...

H-1B electronic registrations and Cap Gap Extension

Starting in the H-1B fiscal year of 2021, USCIS implemented a system that required U.S. employers to first submit electronic registrations before they could file a cap-subject H-1B petition.

Do I need to apply for Cap Gap Extension if I am eligible?

Unlike the work authorization for the OPT and the 24-month STEM OPT extension that must be obtained by filing an I-765 Employment Authorization Application with USCIS, the cap-gap extension is automatic for eligible F-1 students.

F-2 dependents on Cap Gap

Given that the immigration status of dependent spouses and children in an F-2 status are tied to those of the primary F-1 student, F-2 dependents are allowed to remain in the United States if the F-1 student is eligible for the cap-gap extension.

Traveling during Cap Gap Extension

Traveling outside the United States is strongly discouraged when an F-1 student has a pending H-1B petition with USCIS.

Where is the Change of Status comment on the Student Information page?

Displays a Change of Status comment at the bottom of the Student Information page.

When does an extension extend work authorization?

Extend work authorization for any approved, post-completion OPT or STEM extension OPT that extends to or beyond April 1, if the petition is filed before the end of their approved OPT.

Can a petition be extended for a cap gap?

A petition asking for consular processing is not eligible for a cap gap extension. Petitions submitted by cap-exempt employers are not eligible for the cap gap extensions. The following employers are exempt from the cap: Institutions of higher education. Nonprofit research organizations.

What happens if you don't complete the requirements for UT Austin?

If you do not complete the requirements by June 1, you will no longer have guaranteed admission to UT Austin.

What to do if your TSI score is below the minimum?

If your score on the TSI test is below the minimum required on one or more sections, you must enroll in a related developmental studies course. Courses taken to satisfy TSI deficiencies do not count as part of the 30 hours in residence required for CAP; the need to complete such courses may adversely affect your ability to complete the CAP requirements. For specific information regarding the TSI test, contact your UT System school.

Do you have to complete CAP at UT?

No, once you enroll at the UT System school you wish to attend during your freshman year, you must complete all your CAP requirements at that institution.

Does UT Austin have a CAP program?

UT Austin maintains an online list of approved courses for CAP students. If you successfully fulfill your CAP requirements, the courses that you select from the list will transfer to UT Austin. You should always consult with an academic advisor at your participating CAP university before making a final decision about which courses to take.

Does UT have a cap requirement?

All participating UT System schools have established minimum enrollment requirements for CAP students. Students are offered the opportunity to participate in CAP only at the universities for which they meet enrollment requirements.

Do you have to submit a CAP agreement to UT?

No, you do not. If you complete and submit the online CAP agreement, we will send your application materials to the UT System school you select.

Is UT Arlington a CAP school?

No. UT Arlington and UT SA have limited the number of students they will enroll in CAP and accepted agreements from eligible students on a first-come, first-served basis. Once they received enough agreements to reach their limits, the CAP agreement was closed for UT Arlington and UTSA. If you are interested in attending UT Arlington or UTSA as a non-CAP student, contact the school directly.