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minjun_cap_exempt
Sep 28, 2025, 10:15 AM2 min read

H1B Cap-Exempt to Cap-Subject - What I Learned

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Worked at a university on cap-exempt H1B, then moved to private company. Here's how the process works.

Background:

  • Cap-exempt H1B at university for 3 years
  • Wanted to move to tech company (cap-subject)
  • Needed to go through lottery? Not exactly...

Key learning: Previously counted exception!

If you've already been counted against the H1B cap (selected in lottery AND worked under cap-subject H1B), you don't need to go through lottery again.

BUT: I had never been cap-subject, so I n...

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arjun_h1b_2024Sep 28, 2025, 12:00 PM

This explanation is super clear! I was cap-exempt at a university for my first H1B and then moved to industry. Since I was already counted in the lottery when I got selected, I didn't need to go through lottery again for the industry job.

The confusing part is people mix up "cap-exempt employment" with "counted against cap." They're different things!

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CreatedSep 28, 2025, 10:15 AM
Last ActivitySep 28, 2025, 12:00 PM

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minjun_cap_exempt

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