Yes, the H-1B allows you to work for more than one employer simultaneously, but with one important condition: each employer must have its own approved H-1B petition on your behalf. The visa only authorizes work for the employer who sponsored that specific petition.
In practice, if you want to take on a second position, the new employer must file and obtain approval for a petition, typically under the arrangement known as a concurrent H-1B. Each employment relationship is evaluated independently.
Working for a company that does not have an approved petition on your behalf may be considered unauthorized employment, putting your lawful status at risk. Make sure every employment relationship has proper approval in place.
If you have questions about how to structure this, review the guidance from USCIS and, when possible, consult a trusted immigration professional.
Learn more about H-1B
- Initial validity
- 3 years
- Extension
- Up to 6 years total
- Annual cap
- 85,000 visas
- Processing
- 6-12 months
About the author
Victoria Harper
Editor-in-Chief
As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.