Beth Dorman
27.6K posts








I think the best thing for laid off H-1Bs is to find a F-1 program and file to change status to F-1. The I-539 to F-1 is eligible for premium processing (unless you are from a pause policy country). But getting into F-1 quickly gives you a solid status versus a long pending I-539 for B-2 which is uncertain. You also have a longer runway to make your next plan l, and you stop the clock on your 6 years burning up. All good. And frankly depending on your situation, you might want to hide in F-1 for 3 years until we elect a different President. But H-1Bs before they are laid off and who are entrepreneurial should consider a concurrent H-1B for their start-up so if they lose their day job, they are still in good shape with their concurrent H-1B, although I realize that is a niche strategy.
























