H-1B Transfer Gone, New Job Wait Triggers Panic

An H-1B worker losing their job in April 2025 realised how harsh the immigration system is. They had only a 60-day grace period to protect their status, so their new employer filed an H-1B transfer within time and even upgraded it to premium processing. That gave them some relief.

Transfer Collapse Creates Fresh Trouble

The relief vanished when the client cancelled the project tied to the role. Without an active project, the USCIS issued an RFE asking for proof that the employer still needed the worker. This pushed the case into uncertainty.

Employer Withdrawal Shocks the Worker

The employer soon informed the worker that they would withdraw the transfer petition because they no longer had any work. This left the worker with no security despite doing everything within the legal timeline.

New Interview Adds Pressure

During all this, the worker had already completed an interview with another company. That company said they would confirm the result only in the first week of December. The wait added more pressure to an already chaotic situation.

Confusion Over Status Change

The worker is now unsure about whether to file Form I-539 for a B1/B2 change of status before the transfer withdrawal or after it. They are also stressed about whether a new H-1B employer can file a petition even if they switch to B1/B2 only a week earlier.

Legal Stay Hangs on December Update

The worker fears losing their legal stay even when a job offer may be around the corner. The December update will decide their next steps, leaving them in a tense phase that many H-1B workers understand all too well.