The cap is the limit on the number of individuals who can receive H-1B status every fiscal year. The gap is the period of time between the end of an individual’s F-1 status and the beginning of the individual’s H-1B status.

H-1B applications subject to the cap are able to be filed up to 180 days before the beginning of the government fiscal year that starts on October 1.  Thus, the first day of filing for a cap-subject H [..]