After arriving in Alaska last year on a job visa, I’ve settled into my position and grown to love the community and opportunities here. My visa is still valid, but the contract with my employer might end earlier than expected due to company changes. I’m worried about how this could affect my legal status and my ability to remain in the U.S. What steps should I take if my job ends before my visa expiration, and are there options to stay longer?

Question

James White · Accepted Answer

If your job ends before your visa expires, you generally have a grace period (often 60 days for work visas like H-1B) to either find a new employer to sponsor you, change your status, or leave the U.S.; consulting an immigration lawyer quickly is the best way to explore options like transferring your visa, applying for a different status, or pursuing permanent residency pathways if eligible.

Lalita Chakraborty · Answer

If your employment ends, your work visa will likely lose its validity soon after.

Nkosinathi Ndlovu · Answer

Most job-based visas are tied to the specific employer who sponsored you, so losing the job typically starts a grace period to find new sponsorship or change status. You must act quickly to avoid falling out of status.

Mahboubeh Mahboubeh · Answer

Depending on your visa type, you may have a 60-day grace period to either secure a new employer sponsor, apply for a change of status, or depart the U.S.

Staying beyond that window without action can trigger unlawful presence and future immigration penalties. Options like transferring to another employer or switching to a different visa category may be available.

Consulting an immigration attorney as soon as possible is highly recommended.

Nikolaos Christodoulou

Stay Updated