H-1B Visa: US Proposes Ending 60-Day Grace Period After Job Loss
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has officially proposed eliminating the 60-day grace period for foreign professionals on H-1B and other temporary employment visas who lose their jobs.
The Donald Trump administration has proposed ending the 60-day grace period that allows H-1B and certain other temporary work visa holders to remain in the United States after losing their jobs, a move that could significantly affect foreign professionals, particularly Indian workers in the technology sector, according to report.
Under the proposed rule by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), eligible visa holders could be required to leave the country immediately after their employment ends unless they obtain another valid immigration status or are sponsored again by an employer. The proposal is not yet final and will undergo a public comment period before any rule is implemented. H-1B Visa: US Clears Plan To Scrap 60-Day Grace Period – What It Means for Indian Workers.
What the Current Rule Allows
The 60-day grace period has been in place since 2017 and allows certain high-skilled foreign workers to remain in the US for up to 60 consecutive days after losing their jobs. During this period, they can look for a new employer, seek a change of visa status or make arrangements to leave the country. If the proposed change is finalised, workers would lose this transition period, potentially forcing them to leave the US as soon as their employment ends.
Other Visa Categories Also Affected
The proposed change would apply not only to H-1B visa holders but also to several other non-immigrant work visa categories, including E-1, E-2, L-1, O-1, TN, H-1B1 and E-3 visas. DHS acknowledged that the change could create disruptions for businesses but said employers could offer the jobs to qualified American workers or file new petitions based on their workforce requirements. H-1B Visa Fee: Trump Administration Proposes Making USD 1,03,265 Charge Permanent.
Indian Professionals Could Be Among the Most Affected
The move could have a significant impact on Indian professionals, who form a large share of H-1B visa holders and are employed across the US technology and consulting sectors.
Major consulting and outsourcing firms, including Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys and HCLTech, are among the prominent H-1B sponsors. The proposed change could also affect US technology companies that rely on skilled foreign workers.
Proposal Open for Public Comment
The proposed rule will be subject to a two-month public comment period before it can be finalised. This means the existing grace period remains in effect for now, and the proposal could still undergo changes before a final decision is made.
The proposal is the latest in a series of immigration measures introduced by the Trump administration targeting legal immigration and employment-based visa programmes in the United States.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 11, 2026 08:24 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).