Immigration Options After Layoffs

To anyone on an H-1B or L-1 visa who’s just been laid off: I see you. This moment feels heavy, uncertain, and urgent. But, you’re not powerless, there are steps you can take. ✅ First, know your window. H-1B holders have a 60-day grace period (or until your I-94 expires) to find a new role or adjust your status. L-1 holders often have a similar, though unofficial, 60-day window. ✅ Start the job search now. Update your resume, reach out to your network, and apply to companies that can sponsor H-1B transfers. You can begin working with a new employer as soon as your transfer petition is filed, no need to wait for approval. ✅ Talk to an immigration attorney. You may have more options than you realize: changing to a B-2 visitor visa, shifting to a dependent status (like H-4), or exploring study or extraordinary ability visas like the O-1. ✅ Stay in status. If you need more time, file a change of status. Even a B-2 application can buy you breathing room while you plan your next move. Overstaying isn’t worth the risk. ✅ And if you need to leave the U.S. temporarily, it’s not the end. You can absolutely return stronger. Many have walked this road and come back better equipped, with more clarity, purpose, and opportunity. If you’re going through this, remember—You’re not alone. You belong here. #theBOLDjourney

To immigrants who got laid off & are job hunting: an in-depth compilation of resources. Context: Over 22,500+ tech workers have been laid off in the past 2.5 months according to layoffs.fyi. Some estimates say it’s surpassed 30,000. Immigrants on visa face the additional stress of needing to leave the country in 60 days. Below is a compilation of resources to help you. 📌 Visa options to continue staying in America → Request "garden leave" from your employer (they keep you on payroll for an extra month or two) → Shift to a B-2 visitor visa temporarily via Change of Status. Check FileMyB2 website. → Shift to H-4 visa & get an EAD (if married to an H-1B holder with I-140 approved) → Return to school on an F-1 visa for a year (Change of Status) → Switch to a cap-exempt H-1B by working for a uni/hospital/non-profit research org → Apply for the O-1 visa through an agent (which has no cap or min. salary) (Link to a free guide on the O-1 I wrote with a lawyer: https://lnkd.in/d8fNeYUi 📌 Job boards for visa holders → ChicagoH1BConnect – Connects H1B visa holders with jobs in Chicago → AiTou Technology – Job listings & resources for tech professionals → MyVisaJobs.com – Visa sponsorship job listings → H1BVisaJobs.com – H1B visa job listings across industries → USponsor Me – Focuses on visa sponsorship jobs in the U.S. 📌 Platforms for mentors & mock interviews → adplist.org – Free mentorship opportunities → topmate.io – Connect with paid expert mentors → JobInterview.coach – AI-powered interview coaching 📌 Tools for resume optimization → Teal – Resume optimization & job search tools → Careerflow.ai – AI-powered resume improvement → Jobscan – ATS-friendly resume optimization 📌 Job search trackers → Simplify – Automates job applications → Huntr – Organizes job search efforts → Jackfruit – Tracks job applications 🌿 Please re-share this post so it helps more people. 🎁 Here’s a free guide on cracking your job interview: https://lnkd.in/g4U2QYWB :)

Jack Dorsey just announced Block is cutting nearly half its workforce, from over 10,000 employees to ~ 6,000. For anyone on an H-1B affected by this, the clock starts immediately - you have 60 days from your last day of employment to secure a new H-1B employer, or to change to a different immigration status. And if your I-94 expires before the H-1B 60-day grace period window closes, your timeline could be even shorter. If you are in a visa status other than the H-1B you may have even less time to secure a different immigration status. Here's what your options actually look like: For someone in H-1B status, the fastest path to continue working in the U.S. is an H-1B transfer to a new employer. You can start working as soon as the new non-frivolous petition is received by USCIS. You do not need to wait until the H-1B transfer petition is approved, subject to what the H-1B employer’s policy is. International travel during a pending transfer can create complications, so hold off on any trips until your U.S. immigration status has been secured. If your spouse is in H-1B status, switching to H-4 is an option that can buy stability while you figure out next steps. If your spouse is on H-1B status and has an I-140 approval notice you could be eligible to apply for H-4 EAD work authorization. If you've built a strong professional track record, an O-1A is worth exploring in parallel with your job search. It does take longer to prepare than a transfer, so start that conversation sooner rather than later. F-1 is another option if you're considering going back to school, but it means pausing work authorization for a period of time. Work authorization derived from F-1 status needs to be approved by the school that you attend, and is subject to restrictions. Also note that if you are laid off, a pending or approved PERM or I-140 process tied to your previous employer is not portable to a new employer. When you begin working with a new employer you would need to restart the PERM and I-140 process. An I-140 approval with a prior employer can be used to extend H-1B status beyond the 6 year limit. If you have a pending employer-based Adjustment of Status application that has been pending for at least 180 days, the Adjustment of Status may be portable to a new employer, as long as the underlying offered role is in the same or similar occupational role. For hiring managers reading this - there is extraordinary talent suddenly available, many with immediate start capability via H-1B transfer. If you've been waiting for the right moment to bring on senior engineering, product, or fintech talent, now is the time. p.s. If you were impacted and are weighing an H-1B transfer or an O-1A, feel free to reach out to Alma. We'll give you an honest assessment of what's possible.

Boeing just announced they are cutting 17,000 people from their global workforce. This is a huge lay off—representing more than 10% of the company including many immigrant workers. Layoffs hit everyone hard, but for immigrant workers, the consequences can be devastating: 1/ Most visa holders have just 60 days to find a new job or leave the U.S. 2/ Visa-dependent spouses lose their work rights if the principal worker is laid off. 3/ Layoffs can derail the green card process, forcing workers to restart with a new employer. 4/ L-1 visa holders can’t switch companies—they must find a similar role within the same company or leave. 5/ Despite paying into benefits, visa holders can’t access all social services. If you’re a visa worker facing a layoff, here are a few options: - Ask for nonproductive paid status: Some companies will keep you on nonproductive paid status, extending your 60-day grace period to find a new job. - Change to a B-1 visitor visa: B-1 visa lets you stay for 6 months. While USCIS takes 10+ months to process, you can remain in the U.S. during this time and change back if you find a new job. - Change to an F-1 student visa: Enroll in a degree program while you search for a job. You can stay in the U.S. while your status change is being processed. - Start thinking about long-term status & lock in priority dates: There are options to get long-term status without employer sponsorship. For example, you can apply for an EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver). This green card option allows advanced degree holders or those with exceptional skills to apply without a job offer. Fields like dentistry, VR engineering, and education have been approved. Layoffs are tough for everyone, including U.S. citizens. However, for visa workers, layoffs carry even greater consequences—it’s not just about losing a job; it could mean losing their chance at the American dream. Being an immigrant is hard, so let's be kinder to our immigrant friends & neighbors.

The H-1B lottery results were announced last month. Exactly 50% of our applications were selected, leaving the other half wondering if they'd need to leave America behind. But after years as an immigration attorney, I've learned something crucial: the lottery is just one path of many. Here's what the rejected candidates need to know: Immigration success requires strategic planning well before deadlines hit. The government works on their timeline, not yours. If your H-1B application wasn't selected, consider these alternatives: • O-1 Visa: For individuals with extraordinary ability. While challenging, it's lottery-free and requires documented achievements in your field. • J-1 Visa: A viable option for some, but requires careful planning as not all J-1 programs are created equal. • Cap-exempt H-1B employers: Universities, research organizations, and certain non-profits can hire H-1B workers without lottery restrictions. • E-2 Visa: If you're from a treaty country and have funds to invest in a US business, this could be your path. One client started a sneaker cleaning business after multiple H-1B rejections. • Further education: Extending your stay through additional degrees while building qualifications for other visa categories. The harsh reality? Sometimes you may need to return home temporarily. I've seen cases where even perfect planning falls apart due to circumstances beyond control—like when an HR person accidentally posted a PERM job to LinkedIn instead of following proper procedures, derailing a foreign national's green card process. Remember: You're mostly at the mercy of employers and immigration policies, so educate yourself early. Don't wait until denial to learn about alternatives. The immigration system isn't intuitive, and circumstances are highly fact-specific. What worked for someone else might not work for you. Think three steps ahead. That's how successful immigrants navigate our complex system. Need personalized guidance for your situation? My profile has a link where you can connect with me directly. #ImmigrationLaw #H1BVisa #WorkVisaOptions

I spent Sunday consoling someone on an H-1B visa who was laid off from a large company. Their HR team, following advice from their (equally large) law firm, decided to: 🚫 Not add Premium Processing (PP) to the individual's pending H-1B 🚫 Immediately revoke their pending I-140 filed with PP This decision didn’t just cost the individual their visa status—it made them unhireable with less than a year left on their H-1B. A career and a life in the U.S., disrupted in an instant. Layoffs are always difficult, but for foreign national employees, they can be life-altering. The way you handle their exit matters. Consider the following before laying off employees: ✅ I-140 Impact (For Approved Cases) – If an employee’s I-140 has been approved for at least 180 days, they may be able to retain their priority date and transfer it to a new employer. If laid off before that, they risk losing their place in the green card queue. ✅ For Employees Without an Approved I-140 – If an employee is on an H-1B but their I-140 is still pending, a layoff could mean starting the entire green card process over with a new employer. Understanding where they are in the process helps you make informed, compassionate decisions. ✅ Grace Period Considerations – H-1B employees have a 60-day grace period to find a new job before falling out of status. If their I-140 hasn’t been approved for long enough, their ability to remain in the U.S. may be at risk. ✅ Severance & Immigration Support – HR leaders can make a difference by offering immigration-friendly severance packages, including: > Extended payroll > H-1B transfers > Covering Premium Processing fees for their next employer A small effort can change someone’s future. ✅ Transparency Matters – If layoffs are unavoidable, be upfront. Give affected employees as much notice as possible so they can explore new opportunities and consult with immigration attorneys. 💡 Laying off foreign national employees without considering immigration consequences doesn’t just impact them—it also affects your company’s reputation as an employer. 

Layoffs are still happening. If you are on H-1B, you might have more options than you think. I’ve helped clients successfully change status in a range of situations. Let’s talk about what’s possible: 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗕-𝟮 – USCIS recently archived the page that explained B-2 as a viable option after layoffs. What does that mean? We don’t know yet. But all my B-2 cases are still getting approved in about 2 to 3 months. That said, we have heard of NOIDs issued when changing back from B-2 to H-1B. Something to keep in mind. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗙-𝟭 – If going back to school was always on your mind, this might be the time. Premium processing is now available. This is a real window for people looking to skill up or pivot. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗢-𝟭 – If you are in a high-achieving field where you might qualify, it’s worth exploring. I’ve helped clients make this work in research, tech, and creative fields. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗡 𝗼𝗿 𝗘-𝟯 – These require job offers, yes, but they are still real options for eligible candidates. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗙-𝟮, 𝗛-𝟰, 𝗟-𝟮, 𝗼𝗿 𝗝-𝟮 – If your spouse is already in the U.S. in F-1, H-1B, L-1, or J-1 status, switching to dependent status can buy you time. L-2s and J-2s also come with work authorization. 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗿𝘆-𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗛-𝟭𝗕 – If you’ve invested in a company as a passive owner and now want to work there full-time or part-time, this could be a smart play, if the structure meets USCIS requirements. None of these are one-size-fits-all. But if you’re feeling stuck after a layoff, there might be a path forward you haven’t considered yet. I’ve helped clients with every one of these strategies. Let’s assess your options. #H1B #Layoffs #ImmigrationOptions #ChangeOfStatus #USImmigration #O1Visa #F1Visa #B2Visa #H4Visa #E3Visa #TNVisa #VisaOptions

Laid off with 60 days to leave the USA? Here’s how you can stay. Yes, even if you're on a visa with only a few weeks left. Losing your job is tough, especially when you have just 60 days to figure things out as an immigrant in the U.S. With over 23,400 tech workers laid off in April 2025, many are facing the same daunting deadline. But before you pack up, here’s the truth: there are options to buy you more time. Here’s what you can do: 1️⃣ Ask for "Garden Leave" ↳ Some companies offer an extra 1-2 months beyond your severance for a smooth transition. ↳ A few of my friends made it work. It’s a long shot, but worth asking. 2️⃣ Switch to H-4 visa & get an EAD ↳ If you’re married to an H-1B holder, consider switching to an H-4 visa. ↳ The H-4 EAD lets you work for any employer and doesn’t have a salary minimum. 3️⃣ Apply for B-2 visitor visa ↳ B-2 allows you to stay in the U.S. for 6 months. ↳ While the backlog is 12+ months, as soon as you apply, you’re legally covered while figuring things out. 4️⃣ Enroll in school on an F-1 visa ↳ Consider going back to school. ↳ Many affordable programs can keep you in the U.S. while you transition and find a job. 5️⃣ Consult an immigration lawyer ↳ Immigration lawyers are your best ally. ↳ A small investment in legal advice can save you from bigger headaches later. None of these solutions are perfect, but they give you options to stay and regroup. If none of these work, don’t lose hope. 📌 If you’re exploring the self-sponsored green card process and ever feel stuck in your immigration journey or just need guidance on your next steps, I'm here to support. DM me for a free profile evaluation, let's map out your path together. ♻️ Repost to help someone in need. ➕ Follow Mint Pattanan Ketthin for more such insights!

Laid off? Read this before you start mass applying. The first step after a layoff is NOT sending 100 applications. It’s protecting your money, health, visa status, and mental stability. Here are the most important resources to use immediately: Visa & Legal Status Help • USCIS Grace Period Info – https://www.uscis.gov • H1B Layoff Guide (Boundless) – https://lnkd.in/e6WqVczt • Waypoint Immigration Layoff Guide –https://lnkd.in/eirkEEWz • Find Immigration Lawyers – https://www.ailalawyer.com Unemployment Benefits Many laid-off workers (including some visa holders) may qualify depending on state rules. Find your state’s site → https://lnkd.in/eYt5HXi6 Health Insurance After Layoff • Healthcare Marketplace – https://www.healthcare.gov • COBRA Coverage Info – https://lnkd.in/eWbH6h-a • Find Free/Low-Cost Clinics – https://lnkd.in/eMdzBQ_5 Visa Sponsorship Job Boards • Employer visa history database — https://www.myvisajobs.com • H1B-friendly job listings — https://lnkd.in/ebYsy_x6 • Companies that sponsor visas — https://www.usponsor.me Layoff & Hiring Trackers • Tracks recent tech layoffs — https://layoffs.fyi • Shows active tech hiring — https://trueup.io Career Support for Immigrants • Career coaching for immigrants — https://lnkd.in/eE48BUPQ • 1:1 free mentorship calls — https://adplist.org

“I got a ₹50 lakh severance package.” Not me. But someone close to me did. And the strangest part? She didn’t even know she was eligible. When I was laid off, I, too, didn't know how much severance I should receive. That’s what pushed me to write this. Because every time layoffs happen, we talk about → mental health → job search stress → market slowdown But who really talks about severance? What is it? How much are you owed? And what should you ask before signing anything? Let’s break it down. 👇 What severance looks like at top US tech companies: 📍 Meta → 16 weeks base pay → + 2 weeks for every year served → 6 months health insurance → RSUs + PTO payout + career coaching Example: Annual salary = $120K (~$10,000/month) Experience = 3 years 16 weeks = $30,000 6 weeks (2 × 3 years) = $15,000 PTO payout ≈ $2,000–$4,000 RSUs = $10,000–$25,000+ 👉 Total: $60,000–$75,000+ (₹50–60 lakhs) Itna paisa... aur logon ko pata bhi nahi hota ki woh claim kar sakte hain. (So much money... and people don’t even realize they can claim it.) 📍 Google → 16 weeks base + 2 weeks/year → 6 months medical + immigration support 📍 Microsoft → 12 weeks base + 2 weeks/year → Varies by role, location, and policy The real problem? → Not every company is transparent → Not every employee knows what's negotiable → And most people are too shocked to ask. If you’ve been laid off (or sense it’s coming): ✅ Ask for written severance terms ✅ Clarify what’s included—pay, RSUs, PTO, insurance ✅ On a visa? Take help from their immigration team - I spoke to Fragomen. ✅ Don’t sign instantly—review it ✅ And yes, you can negotiate. They owe you a ticket back to your country if you're on a Visa. Panic mat karo. (You worked too hard to walk away without clarity.) Sometimes, it’s not just the job you leave—it’s the system you finally start to understand. And as much as getting laid off hurts, don't let that blur what you deserve. #Layoffs #SeverancePackage #JobSearchIndia #TechIndustry #RoshniChellani #WomenInTech #BigSisterAdvice #CareerSupport