Switching company on pending H1B transfer
Hey guys, I currently work as a PM at a base salary of 140k. I have an offer at a series A startup (35 people, $25M series A at $160M valuation) with a base salary of $150k. They are willing to file my H1B transfer with premium processing and want me to start working while the application is pending. Is it safe to do that? If served with an RFE, is there a credible risk of rejection given I am moving to a smaller company? I understand their is some risk, but would love to hear from people who have done it, or know of people who have.
I would not recommend it. Why risk your career on something like this? Wait until approval. That's what I did. Obviously the choice is yours. But if you get an RFE or eventually denied, you would only have yourself to blame while you're packing your bags. Tell your new company to wait for the approval. If they refuse, is that someone you would actually want to work for? For me the answer is 'no'.
If your previous employer withdraws the petition before your transfer is approved you will be out of status and very high of transfer being denied.
I won't recommend it from my past experience .I have always had a position higher than the current with clean history and still got an RFE
Thanks everyone, I guess it’s not very smart to join without an approved petition. Thank you!
Every case is different, if you have a clean job history(all full time and direct hire), going to a credible company and getting paid above level 1,most probably you won’t get an RFIE and should get your H1B approval in 2 weeks. If you are person who worries a lot, better wait 2 weeks and go to the new job once it’s approved. Most companies do wait for the candidate for a few weeks.
I had a clean history and got an RFE to FAANG
Clean history got an RFE