OPT to H1B: What Every IT Professional Needs to Know

The transition from OPT to H1B is one of the most stressful periods for international IT professionals. Understanding the timeline and process can significantly reduce that stress. Your employer must file your H1B petition by April 1st for the lottery that determines October 1st start dates. This means you need a job offer from an H1B-sponsoring employer well before that date — ideally by February or March. The H1B lottery is random. In recent years, USCIS has received over 400,000 registrations for just 85,000 available slots. If you hold a US master's degree or higher, you are eligible for the advanced degree lottery which gives you a second chance. If your OPT expires before October 1st and you were selected in the lottery, the 240-day cap gap extension allows you to continue working while your H1B is pending. Always work with an immigration attorney — either through your employer or independently. The rules have many edge cases that can affect your specific situation.