Archive · 11 Aug 2026
US proposes ending 60-day H-1B grace period for jobless workers
Many people from other countries come to work in the United States on a special work permit called an H-1B visa.
Most of these workers come from India.
Right now, if one of these workers loses their job, they have 60 days to find a new job or make plans to leave the country.
The US government has proposed taking away this 60-day 'extra time' rule.
Experts say this is a very bad idea.
They say losing a job suddenly is scary, and 60 days is already not much time.
One former White House helper named Ajay Jain Bhutoria thinks workers should get 180 days instead, which is six months.
He says many of these workers are in jobs like technology, healthcare, and engineering.
Without the extra time, workers might not tell their bosses they want to change jobs until it is too late.
This could be stressful for families and even affect children's schooling.
Many people are being asked to send comments to the government about why this rule should not be removed.
The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed scrapping the 60-day grace period that lets H-1B workers stay and job-hunt after losing employment.
The grace period currently gives H-1B workers and some other visa holders two months to find a new sponsor, change visa status, or arrange to leave the US.
Indian nationals made up 71 per cent of successful H-1B applications in the 2024 financial year.
Former White House advisor Ajay Jain Bhutoria called the proposal 'inhumane and unworkable' and urged a 180-day grace period instead.
Attorney Adrian Pandev warned the change could push workers to hide their plans from employers, affecting businesses as well as workers.
- Who
- The US Department of Homeland Security proposed the change; experts including former White House advisor Ajay Jain Bhutoria and attorney Adrian Pandev oppose it.
- What
- A proposal to scrap the 60-day grace period that lets H-1B workers stay in the US to find a new sponsor or change status after losing their job.
- When
- Not specified in the article; the rule has been proposed but not yet formally published in the Federal Register.
- Where
- United States
- Why
- The article does not state the government's rationale; experts oppose the move because workers need time to find new sponsors or change visa status without harming their families.
Government Proposal
Immigration Experts
Grace period duration
Government Proposal
The Department of Homeland Security proposes eliminating the 60-day grace period for H-1B workers who lose their jobs.
Immigration Experts
Experts say the grace period should be kept and even extended to 180 days, arguing 60 days is already too short for hiring and visa paperwork.
Impact on workers, families and employers
Government Proposal
Under the proposal, workers would need to secure a new visa status without a buffer period, giving employers very little warning of departures.
Immigration Experts
Ending the grace period would leave people with no time to sort out their affairs, causing family stress, financial trouble, and disruption to children's schooling.
- Proposing agency
- US Department of Homeland Security
- Proposal
- End the 60-day grace period for H-1B workers after job loss
- Current grace period
- 60 days
- Grace period urged by experts
- 180 days
- Indian share of H-1B approvals (FY 2024)
- 71%
- Sectors most affected
- Technology, healthcare, engineering
- Prominent opponent
- Ajay Jain Bhutoria, former White House advisor