Hi all! I am a new grad and and started working at Amazon. My OPT expires in mid July 2020 and I will need cap gap extension. I am not very sure about the process. It will be great if some information can be shared about it. I believe these are few scenarios that can happen : 1. H1b approved and I will require a Cap gap extension. How do I get that? 2 . H1b approved with RFE, should I get cap gap extension then and also OPT extension if H1b doesnt go thru completely? 3. Rejected H1b. Will only need an OPT extension then? If there is anything else that can happen please highlight it here with ways to approach that situation too. Thank you in advance . I just want to be prepared and not mess up my status.
Tell your immigration attorney to upgrade your H1-B petition to premium. Then You can know your H1-B petition status by end of April.
Amazon will be doing the processing for H1B next year. So I am not sure if that will be premium or not. Also if it does get approved it will get active on 1st of October. So I will need cap gap extension. How can I go about doing that? Will have to contact the university to get that? Or the lawyers applying the H1b will do it?
Cap gap is automatic if h1b is approved. File stem extension if rfe or not approved.
You file for STEM extension irrespective. Unless you get to know about your h-1B approval status before you file. Went through the process this year.
Can both the applications be active at the same time? I mean if I apply for OPT extension in April and even H1B is applied?
Yes, both are different. When you apply for STEM extension you get cap gap. You have to apply for STEM extension before your EAD expires, this year wait times were high. Many got to know that their H-1B is approved or not in July and August. Say if you don’t know before your EAD expires, then apply for it. Else if USCIS receives your application for STEM extension after your EAD expiry date and you didn’t get H-1B, you’ll become an illegal.
Apply for stem extension. If H1B is approved, then you can contact your isso to inactivate it. If h1b is not selected/not approved , then you can use your stem opt Discuss this scenario with your isso and company immigration team
Are you on first OPT or OPT extension? Not clear from your post
New grad! So first OPT.