4 ms·

Hi Peter, Thanks for doing this. I'm on an H-1B visa and my employment with my current employer ends on the 31st of December. I'm interviewing with other comp

Hi Peter, Thanks for doing this. I'm on an H-1B visa and my employment with my current employer ends on the 31st of December. I'm interviewing with other companies and am close to offer from one, but most of my interviews are scheduled for after the holidays. I was wondering if I could: 1. accept the outstanding offer, get my visa transferred, but then accept another offer should I get a better one? 2. How long can I be unemployed for, and still be considered as "maintaining status?" 3. Is it possible to have multiple companies apply for an H-1B transfer at around the same time? Thanks.

proberts 9y ago
There is now a 60-day grace period after the end of H-1B employment so you would be considered in valid status and "portable" to a new company until the end of February, meaning that as long as the new employer files the H-1B petition before the end of February, you can remain in the U.S. while the petition is pending and even commence employment upon the receipt of the petition. And yes, different companies can file H-1B petitions at the same time but this might cause USCIS to question - if it is made aware of this - the bona fides of the various job offers.
- ofcrpls 9y ago
  If the applicant does not have a filed H-1B petition within the 60 day grace period, can they continue to the stay within the US if their spouse is on a valid immigration status? Can the H-4 change of status be applied after this time while staying within the country?
  - proberts 9y ago
    The change to H-4 status must be filed during the 60-day grace period.
    - ofcrpls 9y ago
      Thanks!