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Jobs & Career
US May End 60-Day Grace Period for H-1B Workers, Impacting Indian Professionals
✍️ Times of India
🗓 29 Aug 2026, 06:42 PM
👁 3
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is weighing a rule that could scrap the 60‑day grace period for H‑1B visa holders, forcing many Indian workers to leave the country immediately after job loss.
Washington is reviewing a proposal that would eliminate the 60‑day grace period currently granted to foreign workers on H‑1B visas. The change, if approved, would remove the window that allows employees to remain in the United States while they look for a new employer or adjust their immigration status after a layoff.
Under the existing rule, H‑1B holders have up to 60 days to secure another job, file a change‑of‑status petition, or depart the country without accruing unlawful presence. The period has been a critical safety net for the sizable Indian professional community employed in technology, finance and other sectors across the U.S.
A removal of the grace period would mean that workers whose employment ends would have to leave the United States immediately, unless they obtain a new visa or status within a few days. This prospect has raised concerns among industry groups and Indian diaspora organisations about potential disruptions to careers and family life.
The Department of Homeland Security has not yet issued a final rule and says the proposal is under further evaluation. Stakeholders are awaiting clarification on the timeline and any possible exemptions before the policy could take effect.
Under the existing rule, H‑1B holders have up to 60 days to secure another job, file a change‑of‑status petition, or depart the country without accruing unlawful presence. The period has been a critical safety net for the sizable Indian professional community employed in technology, finance and other sectors across the U.S.
A removal of the grace period would mean that workers whose employment ends would have to leave the United States immediately, unless they obtain a new visa or status within a few days. This prospect has raised concerns among industry groups and Indian diaspora organisations about potential disruptions to careers and family life.
The Department of Homeland Security has not yet issued a final rule and says the proposal is under further evaluation. Stakeholders are awaiting clarification on the timeline and any possible exemptions before the policy could take effect.