Laid Off H-1B Workers Do Not Have A Grace Period

An unfortunately common question which arises recently, especially with the U.S. economy about to go into a recession according to some economists, is what are my options if I get laid off by my employer? The answer, outlined by a CIS memo, is that there is no grace period and, at least in theory, a foreign national is not in status the day after they are laid off. This does not mean that a foreign employee who is laid off has to pack and leave the country within 24 hours or less after they are laid off. However, this means that an H-1B employee who is laid off must take immediate action, for example file a change of status, to avoid being out of status and jeopardize further immigration benefits.