Archive · 15 Jun 2025
H-1B Workers Receive 60-Day Grace Period Post-Job Loss
If you have an H-1B visa and lose your job, you usually get a 60-day "grace period" to figure out your next steps.
This means you have some extra time to find a new job, change your visa status, or take other actions to stay in the U.S. If you don't do anything, you might have to leave.
During this period, if a new employer files a new H-1B petition for you, you may start working immediately.
This grace period is only for certain types of work visas like H-1B.
Other visa holders and their dependents may also benefit from this 60 day grace period, however, those on post-completion OPT have certain limits to the amount of time they can be unemployed.
H-1B workers have a 60-day grace period after job loss to explore immigration options.
The grace period allows time for nonimmigrant workers to maintain their status or apply for a change of status.
During the grace period, eligible H-1B workers can start working for a new employer once a new petition is filed.
If no action is taken, workers may need to leave the U.S. within 60 days or when their authorized period ends.
The grace period applies to workers in E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, L-1, O-1, or TN classifications.
- Who
- H-1B workers and their dependents, as well as E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B1, L-1, O-1, or TN workers.
- What
- H-1B workers have a 60-day grace period after job loss to explore immigration options.
- When
- The 60-day grace period begins the day after employment ends, either voluntarily or involuntarily.
- Where
- United States
- Why
- The grace period provides time to find new employment or change immigration status.
- Grace Period Length
- Up to 60 days
- Eligible Visas
- E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, L-1, O-1, TN
- Action required
- File for a change of status, an adjustment of status, or be the beneficiary of a petition
- Dependents
- Eligible for grace period
- OPT STEM unemployment limit
- 150 days