Washtong, D.C. There have been recent spike in layoffs at various technology, financial services and other services industry. Some of those laid of workers include foreign workers in various nonimmigratn visa status in the U.S. These voluntary or involuntary termination of employment could have consequences for the immigration status. However, these workers may have several options for remaining in the United States in a period of authorized stay based on existing rules and regulations.
Here, we have compiled options that may be available to nonimmigrant workers seeking to remain in the United States in a period of authorized stay following termination. Unfortunately, some of the options may not provide employment authorization.
- 60-Day Grace Period for cessation of employment for H, L, E, O and TN holders so long as I-94 will be valid till then
Immigration regulations permit a discretionary grace period that allows workers in E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, L-1, O-1, or TN classifications (and their dependents) to be considered as having maintained status following the cessation of employment for up to 60 consecutive calendar days or until the end of the authorized validity period, whichever is shorter.
During this period, workers may be able to maintain their nonimmigrant status if a new employer timely files a petition on their behalf with an extension of stay request (e.g., an H-1B change of employer petition for a worker in H-1B status).
Alternatively, workers may be able to remain in the United States in a period of authorized stay if they timely file an application to change to a new nonimmigrant status (such as B-2 visitor nonimmigrant status) or an application for adjustment of status, if eligible.
Workers who are unable to timely file a change of status application, or find a new employer who timely files a change of employer petition for the worker, may be required to depart the United States at the end of this grace period.
- H-1B Portability to a New Employer
Portability rules permit workers currently in H-1B status to begin working for a new employer as soon as the employer properly files a new H-1B petition with USCIS, without waiting for the petition to be approved. More information about H-1B portability can be found on our H-1B Specialty Occupations page.
Also, a worker with an adjustment of status application (Form I-485) that has been pending for at least 180 days with an underlying valid immigrant visa petition (Form I-140) has the ability to transfer the underlying immigrant visa petition to a new offer of employment in the same or similar occupational classification with the same or a new employer. This is commonly referred to as “porting.”
- Change of Status
Workers may use the up to 60-day discretionary grace period to apply to change their nonimmigrant status, which may include changing status to become the dependent of a spouse (e.g., H-4, L-2). Some individuals in a dependent nonimmigrant status may be eligible for employment authorization incident to status, including spouses of E-1, E-2, E-3, or L-1 nonimmigrants. In addition, some spouses of H-1B workers may be eligible for work employment authorization if certain requirements are met.
Other possible nonimmigrant options include student status (F-1) or visitor status (B-1 or B-2). Note that, by statute, B-1 and B-2 nonimmigrant visitors are specifically precluded from “performing skilled or unskilled labor” in the United States. Certain F-1 students, by regulation, may engage in limited employment.
Note: The timely filing of a non-frivolous application to change status will toll, or stop, the accrual of unlawful presence until the application is adjudicated. For example, if an individual files a non-frivolous application to change status before the end of the applicant’s 60-day grace period, they will not accrue unlawful presence while the application remains pending even after the 60-day grace period has elapsed. If the application is ultimately approved, then the individual’s status is changed and is considered to have been in a period of authorized presence the entire time the application was pending. If the application is denied, then the individual starts to accrue unlawful presence the day after the denial decision.
- Change of Status and Employer
Workers may use the up to 60-day discretionary grace period to seek a new employer-sponsored nonimmigrant status in the same or different status. For example, depending on the specific facts presented, an L-1 worker may be eligible for new employment under the TN, E-3, or H-1B1 classifications. The timely filing of a non-frivolous change of status application will prevent the accrual of unlawful presence until the application is adjudicated (see above). Such a filing alone will not, however, confer employment authorization in the new position during the pendency of the application, and will not extend employment authorization if the original classification is no longer valid. Some petitions may be eligible for premium processing for an additional fee.
- Adjustment of Status to a Legal Permanent Resident
Some workers may be eligible to file a self-petitioned immigrant visa petition concurrently with an adjustment of status application. Examples of immigrant classifications that are eligible for self-petitioning include EB-1 Extraordinary Ability, EB-2 National Interest Waiver, or EB-5 Immigrant Investors. Workers with a pending adjustment application are generally eligible to remain in the United States and obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). If you had already filed an I-485 Application, then you could seek to port your job offer through a new company or organization or self-employment with a same or similar job without a need to file a new PERM or I-140. The same old approved petition will be carried through and the priority date will be retained if the I-140 remained active for at least 180 days from its approval date– which means that the approved I-140 was not withdrawn before I-485 application remained pending for 180 days.
- Period of Authorized Stay & Compelling Circumstances Employment Authorization Document
Workers who are the beneficiary of an approved employment-based immigrant visa petition (Form I-140) may be eligible for a compelling circumstances EAD for up to one year at a time if they:
- do not have an immigrant visa available to them in the Department of State’s Visa Bulletin, and
- face compelling circumstances such as as the following (not limited to):
- Serious illness or disability faced by the nonimmigrant worker or his or her dependent;
- employer retaliation against the nonimmigrant worker;
- other substantial harm to the applicant; and
- significant disruption to the employer.
Note: These situations are meant to be illustrative, as compelling circumstances will be decided on a case-by-case basis and may involve facts that vary from those provided above.
Note: A compelling circumstances EAD is a discretionary stopgap measure intended to assist certain individuals on the path to lawful permanent residence by preventing the need to abruptly leave the United States. Workers who begin working on a compelling circumstances EAD will no longer be maintaining nonimmigrant status but generally will be considered to be in a period of authorized stay and will not accrue unlawful presence in the United States while the EAD is valid.
- Green Card Through Self Petition:
- EB-1A: Available for individuals with Extraordinary Ability as demonstrated by sustained national or international acclaim and recognized achievements in the field of expertise.
- EB-2 NIW: Individuals who qualify for National Interest Waiver (EB-2 NIW) exempting from job offer requirement and, thus, the labor certification. One has to be an advanced Degree Professional (professionals with U.S. or U.S. equivalent Master’s degree or higher, or Bachelor degree + 5 year of related experience) or Exceptional Ability (if you have exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business).
- EB-5 Green Card Through Investment: business investors who invest $1.05 million or $800,000 (if the investment is made in a Targeted Employment Area (High Unemployment or Rural Area) in (1) a new commercial enterprise that employs at least 10 full-time U.S. workers, or (2) an enterprise which will expand to 140% of pre-investment net worth or number of employees, or (3) A troubled business in which jobs will be preserved
- EB-5 Regional Center Program: Investment of $800,000 in an approved Regional Center.
- Expedite Criteria
Some circumstances may warrant expedited adjudication, including applications to change status to a dependent status that includes eligibility for employment authorization. For example, an application to change status from H-1B to L-2 may be eligible for expedited adjudication to prevent severe financial loss. See the How to Make an Expedite Request page for additional information.
- Departure from the United States
Workers may choose to depart the United States. For H-1B and O workers who chose to depart the United States after involuntary cessation of employment, the reasonable costs of transportation to the worker’s last place of foreign residence must be borne by the H-1B employer or by the O employer and O petitioner, as applicable.
Once abroad, H-1B holders may seek U.S. employment and readmission to the United States for any remaining period of their H-1B status. Those seeking another classification for which they may be eligible can complete the application or petition process abroad and seek readmission to the United States.
Petitions requiring U.S. Employers
O (persons with extraordinary ability or achievement)
- O-1A: individuals with an extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business, or athletics.
- Schedule A (Group I and II) EB-2 or EB-3 without PERM certification:
- Physical Therapist (Group I)
- Professional Nurse (Group I)
- Person with Exceptional Ability in the Sciences or Arts (Group II)
Note: This is a blog post by Adhikari Law PLLC and should not be construed as a legal advice. Changes in immigration policies and procedures are complex and may require a consultation with an experienced immigration lawyer. You can contact us at (+1) 202 600 7742, or email us at info@adhikarilaw.com if you will have any question on this topic or would.