Cap-exempt H-1B
Universities, their nonprofit affiliates, and research organizations can file H-1B petitions year-round. No cap, no draw.
The FY2026 cap is already full. This route doesn't have one.
The short version
The cap covers most employers. Not all of them.
"STEM OPT ending, no sponsorship, two lotteries lost." That's who this page is for.
Free Cap-Exempt H-1B Eligibility Check →How it works
Universities
Sponsor without the lottery, any time of year.
Affiliated nonprofits
Teaching hospitals and university-tied organizations inherit the exemption.
Research organizations
Nonprofit and government research bodies qualify.
Concurrent H-1B
Hold cap-exempt status through a part-time qualifying role, and a regular company can file for you too. No lottery. This is the move most people never hear about.
The journey
1
Land a cap-exempt offer
A role at a university, affiliated nonprofit, or research organization. Even part-time works.
2
File the H-1B
No lottery, no March window. The petition goes in whenever you're ready.
3
Get the visa
Once approved, stamp at a consulate, or change status if you're already in the US.
4
Move to the US
Start work with your cap-exempt employer.
5
Add a concurrent H-1B
Any company can now file for you, still no lottery. You can start as soon as the petition is filed.
6
Work anywhere
Full-time at the company of your choice, alongside as few as ~5 hours a week for your cap-exempt employer.
The concurrent job rides on the cap-exempt one. Keep that role active, or the structure unwinds.
Who qualifies
OPT or STEM OPT ending soon
Already work at or near a university
Researchers and postdocs
Healthcare and biotech
Employer won't do the lottery
Laid off, clock ticking
Free webinar
45 minutes on cap-exempt employers, the concurrent move, and what your timeline could look like. Live Q&A.
Educational only. No attorney-client relationship.
About Belong
Belong is an AI-native immigration practice: attorneys make the judgment calls, software does the paperwork. We won't promise outcomes, only a straight answer on whether this route fits you.
Legal services provided by Matkowsky Immigration Law.
Questions
Not for qualifying employers. The exemption belongs to the employer and the arrangement, not to you.
No. It must be a university, affiliated with one, or a research organization. The affiliation is the case.
Not necessarily. Concurrent filing can let you keep both.
One of our lawyers will reach out to you for further assessment.
Two minutes to get in line. When a slot opens, we run your eligibility read, map the strategy, and file.
Free Cap-Exempt H-1B Eligibility Check