Job change after lottery selection
Hi all, I was placed on a focus plan recently and I’m applying to new roles at other companies. I’m currently on STEM OPT, and my current company filed for my H1B this year. If I get selected in the lottery, would there be any way to carry that lottery selection with me to a new company? I know the best thing to do would be to wait until October to change jobs, but even with how hard I’m working to get out of the performance plan I don’t know that I’ll be able to make it till then. And if I don’t get selected in this years lottery, is it harder to find a new job when you only have one lottery chance left? Like would companies see me as a bad choice because I only have about 15 months or so (from today) of guaranteed work authorization. If anyone has thoughts or advice on this situation it would be much appreciated! YOE: 1.5 TC: 160k
Broooooo, are you me..! I am on the same boat. Exactly same scenario as yours. Feeling lost. 🥺🥲
Ugh, yeah it’s not a fun spot to be in. Visa troubles make everything so much more complicated :(
You need to keep your current job for at least 2-3 paystubs after 10/1 to get activate H-1B.
You don’t necessarily need to wait till October. Ofcourse that would be the ideal case. But in case you get laid off before that, you can transfer your H1b with an approved petition. Go for premium processing, you’ll probably have your H1 approved by April end and then hope for the best till October. If not, you’ll still have your approved H1, which you can transfer to other employer
1) So its in case of layoff only? Or we can choose to switch to other company? 2) And in how many days need to join another company? Is it something like same 60 days that we get for h1b? Sorry quite new to this, so asking different scenarios.
Also what’s the process to transfer?
OP, I was in the same boat as you. Except that I was laid off and didn’t switch voluntarily. After lottery selection but before H1b approval. It’s a very risky bet. Amazon can only send the H1b withdrawal to the USCIS. But accepting it and acting on it is purely contingent on the direction of the USCIS. If they do not process your withdrawal on time, they may just proceed to issue an H1B visa in Amazon’s name, even though you are working for a new employer in October. That’s a tough situation to be in.
Hmm I see, yeah USCIS taking time to process things also complicates it. How did it end up going in your case?
You can leave the company and transfer your approved H1B. Talk to an immigration layer.
Ride your focus and work very hard to get out of it. Probably you won’t be able to but still try. You’ll be put on PIP. Then go on FMLA + STD for 6 months. If needed go to LTD after 6 months. Once past October and safe to switch, join s new company with your H1B
If selected, you need to be employed till October for your H1-B to be valid.
Do you know what’s the time for premium processing?
Premium processing is 15 calendar days, but H1-B goes into effect 1/10/24.