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My OPT already ended and I was in the 60-day F-1 grace period when my employer filed a cap-subject H-1B change of status. Does cap-gap let me work again?

Short answer

No. A qualifying cap-gap filing can extend your F-1 status during the gap, but if your OPT work authorization had already ended when the H-1B petition was filed, there is no employment authorization to extend. You can remain in status under the cap-gap rules if you qualify, but you cannot restart work just because of the cap-gap.

Official legal source

USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 2, Part F, Ch. 5


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