H-1B layoffs: 60-day grace period, visa options, and transitioning to study
- H1B 60-day grace period starts on the date of getting notice of layoff from the employer, on the date of the severance paycheck, or on the last date of the regular paycheck?
- During H1B 60-day grace period, what is the best time to apply for B1/B2? When 30 days are left, 15 days are left, etc.?
- H1B is for 6-years of work, or 6-years total? I mean does unemployment time or B1/B2 time etc. also counts in 6-years of H1B?
- After layoff on H1B, if decided to go to school, then how to stay in US until getting admission decision and until school starts, that could take many months.
- After layoff on H1B, what is the better option to choose between B1/B2 and F-1?
The H-1B 60-day grace period starts the day after your last pay period or working day, whichever is later. It's best to apply for a B1/B2 visa around the 50th–55th day (depending on how you apply online or by email) if transitioning and an F-1 visa if planning to study. The grace period counts toward the H-1B six-year cap, but B-1/-B2 time does not. For detailed scenarios and advice, refer to the video.