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H-1B 60-day grace-period calculator

After a job ends, many H-1B workers have a short window to find a new sponsor, change status, or leave. This tool counts calendar days from your last day of employment (capped by your authorized stay) and points you to live jobs at proven sponsors for your role.

Not legal advice. This is a calendar helper based on the publicly published regulation at 8 CFR 214.1(l)(2). DHS may shorten or eliminate the period as a matter of discretion. A proposed rule (Sept 11, 2026) would remove the grace period; comments were due Nov 10, 2026 — a proposal is not a final rule. Confirm your options with an immigration attorney immediately after a layoff.

Your countdown

What the regulation says

Under 8 CFR 214.1(l)(2), a person admitted or provided status in E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, L-1, O-1 or TN classification (and dependents) “shall not be considered to have failed to maintain nonimmigrant status solely on the basis of a cessation of the employment” for up to 60 consecutive days or until the end of the authorized validity period, whichever is shorter, once during each authorized validity period. DHS may eliminate or shorten this period as a matter of discretion. Unless otherwise authorized, the person may not work during that period.

Policy can change. DHS’s September 11, 2026 notice of proposed rulemaking would remove 8 CFR 214.1(l)(2). Until a final rule is published with an effective date, the existing regulation remains the starting point — verify on official government sites.

What to do next (high level)

  1. Talk to an immigration attorney about your dates, portability, and status options.
  2. Focus applications on employers with a recent H-1B filing record for your title — they move paperwork fastest. We currently list 7,888 open tech jobs at such employers.
  3. Tell recruiters your deadline up front.
  4. See our H-1B transfer job-search guide.

FAQ

Is the H-1B 60-day grace period still in effect?

Yes, as of this page’s update. 8 CFR 214.1(l)(2) still provides an up-to-60-day period after employment ends for listed classifications including H-1B. DHS published a proposed rule on September 11, 2026 that would remove that provision; a proposal is not a final rule. Check the Federal Register and uscis.gov for any final rule and effective date.

Does the grace period let me keep working?

No. Unless you are otherwise authorized to work under 8 CFR 274a.12, you may not work during the grace period. The period is about maintaining status, not employment authorization.

What if my I-94 expires sooner than day 60?

The regulation says the period is up to 60 consecutive days or until the end of the authorized validity period, whichever is shorter. Enter your I-94 / petition end date below so the countdown reflects the earlier limit. Confirm with counsel.