When does the 60-day grace period start?

Generally on the day after your employment ends, typically your last day of work or the cessation of employment stated in your records. The grace period is up to 60 days or until your I-94 expires, whichever is shorter, so it can be less than 60 days.

What can I do during the grace period?

It's meant as a buffer to find a new employer to file an H-1B petition (often with a request to change employers), apply to change to another status, or prepare to depart the U.S. You generally cannot work until a new petition is properly filed and you're authorized.

Does the 60 days reset if I change jobs again?

The up-to-60-day grace period is generally available once per authorized validity period, not as a fresh 60 days every time employment ends. Don't assume you get a second window; confirm your specifics with an immigration attorney.

Is this tool legal or immigration advice?

No. This is general information and a rough countdown only. Immigration rules are detailed, change over time, and turn on facts specific to you. Talk to a licensed immigration attorney before relying on any of it.

The H-1B 60-day grace period

If you're on an H-1B and your job ends, you don't fall out of status the next morning. A grace period gives you a window to act, but it's shorter and stricter than most people assume.

For most nonimmigrant workers in employment-based categories (including H-1B), U.S. rules allow a grace period of up to 60 days, or until your I-94 expires, whichever comes first, when your employment ends. It's a buffer, not a free pass: it gives you time to line up a new petition, change status, or leave the country in an orderly way.

Enter your last working day below to estimate your deadline and how many days you have left.

Your last working day

The end of your employment. Your grace period generally runs from here.

Enter your last working day to estimate how many days remain in the 60-day grace window. Nothing is sent anywhere. It all stays in your browser.

When the clock starts, and how it can be shorter

The window generally runs from the day after your employment ends. Two things often surprise people:

It's capped by your I-94. If your authorized stay ends in 40 days, your grace period is 40 days, not 60.
It's generally once per validity period. Don't count on a fresh 60 days every time a job ends.

What to do with the window

Find a new employer to file for you. A new H-1B petition (often with a change-of-employer request) is the most common path.
Change to another status, for example a dependent or student status, if you qualify.
Prepare to depart if neither is in reach, so you leave in valid status rather than overstaying.

In nearly every case you cannot resume work until a new petition is properly filed and you're authorized. The grace period is for transitioning, not working.

Don't cut it close

Petitions take time to prepare and file, and a missed deadline can have serious consequences for your status and future options. Treat the countdown above as a prompt to act early, not a target to hit at the last minute. And get a licensed immigration attorney involved as soon as you know your job is ending.

While the clock runs, the bills don't stop

The status decision is the urgent one, but the financial side matters too:

Can I afford to quit? helps you size your runway for the transition.
COBRA vs ACA helps keep health coverage from lapsing during the gap.
Final pay & PTO by state tells you when your last check is due.
Offboarding checklist helps you leave cleanly while you focus on status.

Frequently asked questions

When does the 60-day grace period start?: Generally on the day after your employment ends, typically your last day of work or the cessation of employment stated in your records. The grace period is up to 60 days or until your I-94 expires, whichever is shorter, so it can be less than 60 days.
What can I do during the grace period?: It's meant as a buffer to find a new employer to file an H-1B petition (often with a request to change employers), apply to change to another status, or prepare to depart the U.S. You generally cannot work until a new petition is properly filed and you're authorized.
Does the 60 days reset if I change jobs again?: The up-to-60-day grace period is generally available once per authorized validity period, not as a fresh 60 days every time employment ends. Don't assume you get a second window; confirm your specifics with an immigration attorney.
Is this tool legal or immigration advice?: No. This is general information and a rough countdown only. Immigration rules are detailed, change over time, and turn on facts specific to you. Talk to a licensed immigration attorney before relying on any of it.

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