An H-1B visa provides an opportunity for a foreign professional to work in the United States. Those with advanced degrees and specialized skills may qualify for an H-1B visa that allows them to work and live in the United States. Provided that everyone meets the necessary standards, skilled workers who secure H-1B visas can travel to and live in the United States with their spouses and unmarried, minor children.
In some cases, professionals who enter the United States with an H-1B work visa can stay in the country long enough to qualify for green cards. They may even eventually qualify to become United States citizens because of their domestic careers. Developing a life in the United States might entail expanding a career beyond an initial job offer. Those with specialized skills and degrees might find better employment opportunities after entering the country.
Can professionals living in the United States with an H-1B visa accept a job with a new employer without putting their visas at risk?
Changing jobs requires careful preparation
For those living in the United States with an employment visa, their employment directly relates to their immigration status. Continuing to work for the same company is typically the only way to maintain the same visa.
However, a professional who qualifies for an H-1B visa while working with one employer could very likely qualify for the same visa if they take a similar position with a different company. They simply need to communicate with the prospective employer and follow certain procedures required by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The business hoping to hire the professional may need to submit paperwork to the USCIS. The new employer files a petition affirming the intent to hire the foreign national worker. The process may require several months of preparation before the visa-holding professional can transition from their current position to a new job at a different company.
The right support can make a major difference for those with employment-based visas hoping to change their circumstances. Communicating with a prospective employer about visa matters and securing proper legal guidance can help skilled professionals protect themselves while they’re planning an upcoming career transition.