When Workers Lose Jobs Connected to Work Visas
Many different professionals may qualify for employment visas. There are special programs for doctors to take positions in underserved communities, internal transfer visas for managers already working at a business, and special visa programs for individuals with advanced education or years of relevant work experience.
A work visa allows a professional to enter the United States to work here legally. They may be able to bring their spouse and minor children with them. Their visa may be eligible for renewal. Individuals with work visas can sometimes stay in the country long enough to qualify for green cards. However, their employment is crucial for their immigration status. Losing a job might mean a worker is no longer eligible to maintain their visa.
What happens after an unexpected termination affects an immigrant with a work visa?
There is a Grace Period for Many orkers
Most people who qualify for employment visas have a strong work history or unique skills. Their abilities and education benefit the domestic economy regardless of where they work. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) allows for a degree of flexibility in cases where workers with visas suddenly lose their jobs.
A 60-day grace period applies to professionals with certain work visas. If the visa holder obtains a new job within those 60 days, their new employer can help them obtain a modified work visa. The visa programs potentially eligible for that grace period include:
- E-1
- E-2
- E-3
- H-1B
- H-1B1
- L-1
- O-1
- TN
Workers may need to communicate with the USCIS and begin hunting for new opportunities to use that grace period as soon as possible.
In some cases, other immigration opportunities may be available for professionals who lose their jobs. Those who come from unstable countries may qualify for asylum, and others might be eligible for green cards based on their residence in the United States.
Discussing job loss and immigration status with a skilled legal team can benefit those concerned about their work visas. An unexpected job loss need not automatically result in removal from the United States if an immigrant acts quickly.