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If my employer closes, can I find another one?

If the employer sponsoring your H-1B closes, you can look for another through an H-1B transfer. Learn why acting quickly is essential to maintain your status.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on July 14, 2026
1 min read
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Yes. The H-1B visa is tied to the sponsoring employer, but that does not mean you are out of options if the company shuts down. U.S. law allows another employer willing to sponsor you to take over your case through a process known as an H-1B transfer.

In practice, the transfer is a new petition filed with USCIS by the new employer, who must demonstrate that the offered position meets H-1B requirements and submit the required documentation. The sensitive point is timing: once the relationship with the previous employer ends, there is a window to act and maintain valid status, so it is important to seek a new opportunity as soon as possible.

  • The transfer is a new petition to USCIS, filed by the new employer.
  • The new position must meet H-1B requirements.
  • Acting within the applicable timeframe is critical to avoid losing legal status.

Because each case has its own specifics and deadlines that must be respected, it is worth confirming the current rules on the official source (USCIS) and seeking guidance from a qualified professional before deciding on your next steps.

Learn more about H-1B

Initial validity
3 years
Extension
Up to 6 years total
Annual cap
85,000 visas
Processing
6-12 months
All about H-1B

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.

Victoria's tips

If my employer closes, can I find another one?

If the employer sponsoring your H-1B closes, you can look for another through an H-1B transfer. Learn why acting quickly is essential to maintain your status.

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