May 6, 2008

H-1B APPLICANT CAP GAP RELIEF PROCEDURE FOR F-1 STUDENTS

CAP GAP RELIEF

USCIS has announced that the statuses of F-1 students who are beneficiaries of "change of status" H-1B petitions filed and duly received under the FY09 cap, will automatically be extended if they expire during the "gap period" (period between April and October 1). For these same F-1 students who filed consulate cases, he/she may convert the same to change of status. IF YOU WISH TO CONVERT ANY CASE TO CHANGE OF STATUS, PLEASE CONTACT US VIA EMAIL AT INFO@ILAWUS.COM IMMEDIATELY.

PROCEDURE TO EXTEND F-1 OPT STATUS/EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION BY 17 MONTHS

In order to qualify, please see articles at http://www.ilawus.com/news/184, entitled Frequently Asked Questions Regarding ability to Extend OPT and E-Verify for Employers.

After a student determines that he/she has the requisite US Degree in a STEM discipline, and when the employer has signed up for E-Verify, students need to get their I-20 endorsed by the DSO for the extended period, and then have their Employment Authorization Card (EAD) extended. Most of the time the university will handle this. If it will not, you may contact us and we can extend the same.

Should you have questions, please contact us.

To contact an M&S representative immediately, please select from the options below.