How long can you stay in the US on H-1B?

You can generally stay in the U.S. on an H-1B visa for a maximum of six years, with initial grants of up to three years and extensions for another three years, but you might extend beyond six years if you're progressing in the green card process (e.g., PERM or I-140 filings). The six-year clock resets after a full year spent outside the U.S..

How long can you stay in the USA on H-1B?

An H-1B visa generally allows a stay of up to 6 years in the U.S., starting with an initial 3-year period, extendable for another 3 years, but extensions beyond this can be possible if you're pursuing a green card (immigrant visa) and meet specific criteria, such as filing Form I-140 at least 365 days prior. Time in other H or L statuses generally counts towards this 6-year limit, but you might reset the clock by staying outside the U.S. for a year. 

How many years does H-1B take to get a green card?

Section A: H1B to Green Card Overview

To be able to stay in the US after this six-year period, you will need to make an application to either extend H1B status under the statutory rules that allow time beyond six years, or apply for a Green Card.

What is the 240 day rule in H-1B?

The H-1B 240-Day Rule allows certain H-1B visa holders to continue working for up to 240 days beyond their current authorization's end date while their employer's timely-filed extension petition is pending with USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services). Key conditions are that the extension (Form I-129) must be filed before the current status expires, and the employee must continue working for the same employer. This provides crucial work authorization continuity, preventing job loss while waiting for a decision, though travel outside the U.S. requires a valid visa/approval notice.
 

What happens after 6 years of H-1B visa?

In short, after 6 years on your H-1B, you need to be in the process of changing visa classes or in the process of packing up and leaving the US. For most H-1B workers who want to stay in the US, that means going for a Green Card through employment.

Visa restriction explained #usimmigration

Can H-1B get a green card?

Yes, the H-1B visa is a common pathway to a Green Card (permanent residency) in the U.S. because it's a "dual-intent" visa, allowing you to seek permanent residency while on it, but it's a separate, multi-step process involving your employer sponsoring you for an employment-based Green Card (like EB-2 or EB-3), starting with PERM labor certification, then filing I-140, and finally I-485 Adjustment of Status, which can involve significant waiting times, especially for certain countries.
 

Who has to pay $100,000 for an H-1B visa?

Practically speaking, this fee only applies to employers who use an H-1B visa petition to bring a foreign national to the United States. Current employers of H-1 workers who wish to continue to employ this worker need not worry about this fee, and can instead file an extension of status petition.

What is the 3 to 1 rule for H-1B?

The Three-For-One Rule

When making a determination whether a foreign national possesses the required academic credentials necessary for an H-1B occupation, the USCIS will consider three years of specialized training and/or work experience to be the equivalent of one year of college education.

How long does H-1B last after losing a job?

Once you cease to be employed, you have a maximum 60-day grace period in which to either get another employer to sponsor you for H-1B employment, arrange for another visa status allowing you to stay in the United States, or make plans to head home.

What is the new rule for H-1B 2025?

If multiple registrations exist for the same beneficiary at different wage levels, the lowest wage level will be used. The new framework will apply to both the H‑1B regular cap of 65,000 visas and the U.S. advanced degree exemption (Master's cap) of 20,000 visas.

How many times can H-1B be renewed?

You can request a three-year extension. Remember, the maximum duration on an H visa is six years. How many times can I file for an H-1B Extension? You can file for as many extensions as needed.

What is the fastest visa to get a green card?

One of the fastest ways to get a U.S. Green Card is via the EB-5 Visa program. While the EB-5 Visa is technically employment-based, it does not require a job offer. Instead, this type of visa is focused on making a qualifying investment to create jobs.

What are the advantages of green card vs H-1B?

H-1B visas are temporary, but a Green Card offers stability, job flexibility, and benefits for your family. The path you choose depends on your category—employer-sponsored or self-sponsored—plus your qualifications and career goals. Timing matters, so know when your H-1B visa expires and when you need an extension.

What happens if you lose your job on H-1B?

Because the H-1B visa is tied directly to employment, losing your job triggers a strict 60-day grace period. During that time, you must find a new employer to sponsor you, change your visa status, or prepare to leave the country. In 2023 alone, mass tech layoffs affected over 85,000 H-1B holders.

Can I leave the country on H-1B?

You can travel internationally and reenter the U.S. while your H-1B status is being extended or transferred from one employer to another, provided you have a valid I-797 Approval Notice and a valid H-1B visa (unless visa-exempt or eligible for automatic visa revalidation).

Will there be an H-1B lottery in 2027?

Yes, there will be an H-1B lottery for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027, but it will use a new weighted selection system, not purely random selection, to favor higher wage levels and increase odds for higher-skilled workers. This rule, effective February 2026, applies to the March 2026 registration period for FY 2027 visas, giving more entries (chances) to beneficiaries offered higher salaries (Level 3 and 4).
 

How soon can I apply for a green card after H-1B?

You can apply for a green card immediately after you secure an H-1B visa, as soon as your employer is ready to sponsor you. The employer is responsible for filing the initial paperwork for an employment-based green card, including the labor certification, and Form I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers.

Is it safe to travel on H-1B?

ISSO continues to advise caution with international travel, as U.S. immigration policies are unpredictable and can rapidly change without notice. If your visa is expired, renewing it could be uncertain and may cause extended delays, potentially affecting your ability to return and continue your studies or work.

Do you lose H-1B if you quit?

If an H-1B employee resigns, the HR specialist must send an Immigration Specialist a copy of the resignation PNF showing the last day of employment so we can notify both U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the U.S. Department of Labor and close the immigration file.

Who has to pay $100,000 for an H-1B visa?

The $100,000 H-1B fee, implemented in late 2025, applies to employers filing new H-1B petitions for workers outside the U.S. who don't have a valid H-1B visa, specifically those seeking entry or consular processing, not for extensions, changes of status for F-1 students, or current H-1B holders. It's a fee on importing labor to discourage using H-1Bs primarily for cost savings, targeting new overseas hires, with very rare national interest exceptions possible, making it a significant cost for many businesses. 

What are the disadvantages of a H-1B visa?

In this article, we'll outline some of the drawbacks of H-1B visas.

• It's only temporary. ...
• There aren't that many, and they're doled out fast.
• You can't work until your petition is approved. ...
• Spouses and children can't work without authorization. ...
• No automatic path to permanent residence. ...
• You can be replaced by U.S. workers.

Can an H-1B visa lead to a green card?

Yes, the H-1B visa is a common pathway to a Green Card (permanent residency) in the U.S. because it's a "dual-intent" visa, allowing you to seek permanent residency while on it, but it's a separate, multi-step process involving your employer sponsoring you for an employment-based Green Card (like EB-2 or EB-3), starting with PERM labor certification, then filing I-140, and finally I-485 Adjustment of Status, which can involve significant waiting times, especially for certain countries.
 

Is H-1B still lottery?

The Department of Homeland Security has issued a new regulation that fundamentally reshapes how H-1B cap cases will be selected, replacing the long-standing random lottery with a wage-level-based selection system beginning with the upcoming H-1B registration cycle.

Which country gets the most H-1B visas?

India has the most H-1B visa holders by a significant margin, accounting for roughly 70-75% of all approved H-1B visas in recent fiscal years (FY 2023-2024), followed distantly by China, which consistently ranks second. This dominance reflects India's large pool of STEM graduates and its deep integration into the U.S. tech talent pipeline, with many H-1B workers employed in computer-related fields. 

Do F1 to H-1B pay 100K?

US Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirmed that the fee would not apply to a “change of status” including F-1 students switching to H-1B skilled worker visas, in new guidance issued October 20.