CAP GAP Extension

[Anand991]

I have been working on OPT for last 11 months, and OPT period will expire May end. This was post completion OPT obtained based on course-work and PhD thesis proposal approval. I still have not defended final PhD dissertation.

In the meanwhile company applied for H1B based on MS degree (also US based) and application passed lottery selection and has been approved. My lawyer says that I will automatically qualify for Cap Gap extension. However, my DSO (school ISS) has been ambiguous about my status, only saying that I have to defend my thesis and obtain letter of completion before they can issue me new I-20 with Cap Gap extension.

I am hoping to defend early May, and hopefully be done with all Thesis Office requirements early June, but in the meanwhile what are my options legally?

Thanks,

Anand B