You got the layoff email on a Friday afternoon. Your H-1B visa is tied to that employer. Under the old rules you had 60 days to breathe. Under the new proposal you may have zero days. That is the core visa shock facing thousands of specialty workers in 2026.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Does the new proposal force H-1B workers to leave the US the same night they are laid off?
- A: Yes. The proposal would eliminate the 60-day grace period, meaning H-1B status could end on the day employment stops and departure may be required immediately.
- Q: What was the old 60-day H-1B grace period?
- A: It gave laid-off H-1B workers up to 60 days to find new sponsorship, change status, or leave the US without accruing unlawful presence.
- Q: Who is most affected by the visa rule change?
- A: Employer-tied specialty workers on H-1B visas, especially in tech, who face instant visa shock and loss of legal stay after a layoff.
- Q: When would the zero-day rule take effect?
- A: The article frames the core visa shock for thousands of workers in 2026 under the new proposal.