Maintaining Employment Status During Visa Sponsorship

Imagine being in the PERM #immigration process, working hard, adding value, building your life in a place you’ve come to love… and then your company lays you off. No warning. No roadmap. Just the sharp turn of uncertainty. 💡If this is your story, first: breathe. You are not alone, and this is not the end. Here are some real options to consider: ✅ Grace Period: If you’re on an H-1B, you typically have 60 days to find a new employer. Use this time strategically and boldly. ✅ H-1B Transfer: A new company can file a transfer and take over your visa sponsorship. Yes, it’s possible, even in this job market. These sites show past H-1B filings, which often signals a company is open to transfers: - H1BGrader.com: https://h1bgrader.com/ - MyVisaJobs.com: https://lnkd.in/gYwC4QeR - H1BData.info: https://h1bdata.info/ ✅ PERM Restart: Unfortunately, PERM is not portable. A new employer must start the process from scratch, but this time, you’re going in wiser. ✅ Other Visas or Adjustment: Depending on your situation, you might explore O-1, F-1, or other pathways (this is where an immigration attorney becomes your best investment). This process isn’t easy. But, you’ve already done hard things. You’ve already bet on yourself. So keep betting. And if no one’s told you lately: You deserve to be here. You are qualified. And your immigration status doesn’t define your impact. Tag someone who needs to see this. Let’s keep sharing, lifting, and reminding each other that we rise—together. #theBOLDjourney

OPT is ticking. H1B lottery is coming. And your inbox is full of ‘We don’t sponsor.’ Here’s how to fight back. You’re not only competing with everyone else… you’re racing against OPT deadlines, H-1B lottery uncertainty, and a flood of “We don’t sponsor” responses. I’ve seen incredibly talented people lose hope — not because they weren’t capable — but because they didn’t have the right guidance. Here’s a post I wish every international student or job seeker in the U.S. could see: Step 1: Identify Visa-Friendly Employers Start by targeting companies that actually sponsor visas. ✅ [MyVisaJobs](https://www.myvisajobs.com) – Database of employers who have sponsored H-1B, Green Card, or OPT jobs before. ✅ [H1BGrader](https://www.h1bgrader.com) – Combines sponsor data with salary insights and company reviews. ✅ [GoinGlobal](https://www.goinglobal.com) – University-accessible portal listing visa-friendly employers. ✅ [Envoy Global Reports](https://lnkd.in/dNg93FYw) – Insights into top H-1B sponsoring companies each year. ✅ [Techfynder](https://techfynder.com/) – Connects tech professionals with U.S. companies open to sponsorship. Step 2: Use Job Boards Smartly Most job boards hide visa info. These make it easier: 🔹 [Hired.com](https://hired.com) – Filter roles by “Visa sponsorship available.” 🔹 LinkedIn – Use keywords like “OPT friendly,” “H1B sponsorship available,” or “Visa sponsorship.” 🔹 [Simplify.jobs](https://simplify.jobs) – Ideal for internships and early-career roles; visa info is shown in listings. 🔹 [AngelList](https://angel.co) – Startups often sponsor, filter by visa-friendly roles. 🔹 [Levels.fyi](https://levels.fyi) – Especially helpful for tech internships and entry-level roles with visa eligibility info. Step 3: Optimize Resume & Application Before your visa status comes up, make your resume irresistible to ATS and recruiters: 🧾 [Rezi.ai](https://www.rezi.ai) – Free AI resume builder designed for ATS. 🧾 [Resumeworded](https://resumeworded.com) – Get AI feedback based on hiring manager data. 🧾 [TealHQ](https://www.tealhq.com) – Track applications, optimize resume, and stay organized. Step 4: Apply Smarter, Not Just Harder Yes, it’s frustrating. Yes, it sometimes feels unfair. But thousands before you have navigated this path successfully. 🎯 Focus on high-demand skills – AI, Data, Cloud, Product Management, Cybersecurity. 🎯 Build an online presence– GitHub projects, portfolios, LinkedIn content. 🎯 Personalize your applications – small tweaks can make you 10x more noticeable. Your visa status is a constraint, not a dead end. Tag a friend who’s job hunting, this post might save them weeks of stress and confusion. #jobsearch #internationalstudents #h1b #opt #careeradvice #careerresources #growth

You lose your job. You're on an HSM visa. Now you’ve got 90 days before you're forced to leave... And no, the IND doesn't care that it was a reorg. No, you don't get extra time. No, most companies won't move fast enough. You're stuck in a country you moved your whole life to, watching job processes crawl while your visa clock sprints. You send out CVs, get ghosted. You finally get a response... then hear "we’re still aligning internally." It’s week 5. You haven’t even had a proper interview. This isn’t about “being positive.” This is about surviving a system that’s not built for you. A few pointers that will help: ▶️ Understand and promote yourself around your niche skills and find recruiters active in this field ▶️ Focus only on IND-registered companies (you can find the list online on the IND website) ▶️ Mention your visa status early. If they won’t sponsor, don’t waste time ▶️ Don’t chase dream jobs. Chase fast hires. You can pivot later ▶️ Get legal backup ready, some immigration lawyers do know workarounds if timing gets tight You’ve got three months. But you don’t have to figure it out alone. If you’re in this spot now, say so. If you’ve made it through? Share what actually worked‼️ One message can change someone’s outcome. Especially when the clock doesn’t care.

If you are on an H-1B visa, note that if there are any material changes in your employment, then your employer is required to file an amendment petition with USCIS notifying USCIS of the change. This includes a change in the place of employment to another area that is not covered in the LCA. In particular, if there is a difference in the prevailing wage or posting requirements, then a new LCA and an amended I-129 must be filed. While there are a few exceptions to this rule, these exceptions are minor. If you are being sponsored by your employer for a green card, note that to be eligible to adjust status based on your employer's I-140 petition, you must be maintaining valid nonimmigrant (temporary) status up to the filing of the I-485 adjustment application. While INA Section 245(k) provides for a few exemptions, pay close attention that there are no irregularities in your immigration status. Adjusting status based on an employment petition is not as forgiving as adjusting status based on other categories, such as family based petitions and other humanitarian forms of relief. #greencard #adjustment #H1B #immigration

This post is clever and funny 😁. However layoffs (especially in Tech) are no laughing matter 😟 . If you are on a work visa such as an H-1B, L-1 or E-2, your ability to remain in the US is tied to your employment. Even F-1 international students on post completion OPT or STEM OPT from their F-1 visas must remain employed to maintain status once they graduate. If you hear "you is fired" and you lose your job, you only have a finite amount of time (usually 60 days) for your grace period. During this 60 day grace period you must: 1) Find a new job and get a new sponsor (such as an H-1B transfer) 2) Change your status to another visa type such as B1/B2 or F-1 3) Depart the country 4) Or risk unlawful presence These are just some options you can consider if you lose your job while on a work visa. In certain circumstances you could file an EB-2 NIW or EB-1A self-petition when you are between jobs. If you file while you are still in status, you will not accrue any unlawful presence while your petition is pending. * this might be a time to use premium processing 🤔 However, if you petition is ultimately denied, you then likely will accrue unlawful presence for any amount of time over 60 day grace period. If necessary, try to avoid any unlawful presence over 6 months. Did you know it may be possible to file an I-539 to request an extension of your status? The USCIS has discretion to extend the status granted by your I-94 on your last admission. If you know in advance of a possible layoff or fear future layoffs, it might not be a bad idea to contact an immigration attorney and be proactive as opposed to reactive. The more time we have to work on your case, the better. I also would prefer to file an EB-2 NIW or EB-1A case while you are employed. It just looks better (even if you are downsized or let go from factors beyond your control). I remember during the height of Covid, so many pilots were laid off or furloughed and this was a concern for their EB-2 NIW petitions. Enjoy the bad AI video. But take the advice to heart. Always plan ahead. #immigration #globalmobility #pilots #aviation #greencard #tesla #spaceex

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 :)

The H-1B lottery is unpredictable, and with high demand, many talented professionals don’t make the cut. If you or your employees were not selected this year, don’t lose hope—there are strategic alternatives to stay and work in the U.S. 🔹 Cap-Exempt H-1B – Universities, nonprofits affiliated with universities, and research institutions can sponsor H-1B workers without the lottery restriction. 🔹 O-1 Visa (Extraordinary Ability) – If you have significant achievements in your field, this visa could be an option. 🔹 L-1 Visa (Intra-Company Transfer) – For employees of multinational companies transferring from a foreign office. 🔹 F-1 OPT & STEM Extension – Recent graduates can continue working under Optional Practical Training (OPT) and extend for 24 months if in a STEM field. 🔹 E-2 Visa (Investor/Entrepreneur) – If you’re from a treaty country, starting your own business could be an option. 🔹 TN Visa (Canada & Mexico) – Professionals from Canada and Mexico may qualify under NAFTA. 🔹 National Interest Waiver (NIW) Green Card – If your work benefits the U.S. significantly, you might bypass employer sponsorship. 🔹 H-1B Transfers & Other Employment-Based Green Cards – Exploring PERM-based EB-2/EB-3 sponsorship could be a long-term strategy. The key is acting early to explore all options. If you weren’t selected in the H-1B lottery, don’t wait—talk to an immigration attorney today to plan your next steps! #ImmigrationLaw #H1BLottery #VisaOptions #ImmigrationAttorney #WorkInTheUS