Damn !!!!! I am not able to submit any new topic for some reason, this sajha probably did not went through a quality assurance test b4 released. LOL Can anyone suggest me for the OPT and H1 start date gap ? I will have about 3 months gap in between. and H1B News : Possible Memo; Cap-Gap Relief is Not Likely Posted May 05, 2006 The USCIS indicated that it is not likely they will issue what is commonly referred to as "cap gap" relief for Fiscal Year (FY) 2007. This relief, if it were made available, would address the gap in status experienced by some students between the expiration of their F-1 or J-1 statuses and the start of the availability of H1B cap numbers on October 1, 2006. This relief has been granted in previous years to assist F-1 and J-1 students in transitioning from student to H1B status without the need to depart the country. In short, the problem is that, in order to change status, a person must have a nonimmigrant status until the date of the effective change. Thus, cap-gap relief provided a bridge between the end of the student status and the start of the H1B status. ©MurthyDotCom The cap-gap relief was not granted for FY2006. It was last granted, in a rather last-minute action, for FY2005. As indicated, it is unlikely that it will be issued for FY2007. Thus, many students will not be able to remain in status until October 1, 2006. They will have to leave the country and apply for H1B visas at the consulates abroad in order to return and begin work on October 1, 2006.