If I get laid off, can I stay until I find another job?

Yes, within limits. Losing the job that sponsored your H-1B does not immediately put you out of status: the law provides a grace period after the employment ends, designed precisely to give you time to sort out your situation without having to leave the country the same day.

During this window, you remain lawfully in the country, but there is an important distinction: being present is not the same as being authorized to work. You may only resume working once a new sponsorship is approved or you change to another status that permits employment. The time is meant to:

• Find a new employer willing to sponsor another H-1B.
• Explore a change to another immigration category that fits your circumstances.
• Arrange your departure from the country, if that is the path you choose.

The exact length of the grace period and the applicable conditions vary depending on factors such as the timing of the termination and the validity of your status, and the rules are subject to change. Act quickly, and confirm the current timeframe and what applies to your specific case through the official source, USCIS, or with a qualified immigration professional.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

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.