hi fellow sajha users, i recently got selected in the h1b lottery and received an eac number (the case status is "received"). i also have the option of applying for stem opt extension. now that i am selected in the h1b lottery, should i still apply for opt extension anyways (just in case h1b doesn't work out for some reason)? were any of you guys in my shoes? i would really appreciate any relevant stories! thanks!
bhisan · May 12, 2016 2:12 PM · 10,263 views
Yes. You are protected until the start of H1 with Capgap. Unless you did premium precesssing, start the opt extension.
maxpayne · May 12, 2016 2:50 PM
I would say "Yes" just to be safe. It really doesn't matter what others did because their situations might be different than yours - just not the status but others. Selection doesn't guarantee approval. Also, I have seen rare cases where your H1 gets approved but change of status gets denied. In this case you have to go outside and re-enter with h1 visa stamping. If your both- H1 and Change of status gets approved it only starts from month of October. I know you probabaly are coverede by CAP gap rule even though u don't extend your OPT, but I am not sure what are the rule these days. Please verify. ALso I don't know when your current OPT expires. If you have time then I would say wait for decision before filing extension. If you didn't hear by 1-2 week of August, I would say "Yes". In rare cases u don't get h1 approval even by October. IN my case i got my h1 approval in April of next year. Hope this helps.. Last edited: 12-May-16 02:57 PM
STUPIDA · May 12, 2016 2:52 PM
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