The H-1B start date for non-exempt employers is October 1 of each year. Employers will apply for H-1B work authorization 6 months prior on April 1. Graduates who are selected for H-1B processing and whose OPT end date is between April 1 and October 1 will receive an automatic extension of work authorization between the OPT end date and September 30. This is known as the OPT Cap Gap. For information, please visit the USCIS webpage on the Cap Gap extension.
If you receive the Cap Gap extension and need a new I-20 indicating this approval, submit the OPT Update Form.
