It is a matter of semantics. Once you have an H1B, the new employer does need to make a petition. In immigrant speak, this is usually called a transfer. The tr

It is a matter of semantics. Once you have an H1B, the new employer does need to make a petition. In immigrant speak, this is usually called a transfer. The transfer does not usually fall under the quotas that the original application falls under. It is also slightly cheaper and is processed more quickly. So an employee can move freely any time they want if the new company is willing to spend a thousand dollars or so.