If you’ve recently lost your H-1B position, understanding your options for maintaining legal status in the United States is crucial. This comprehensive guide outlines four primary paths you can take: converting to B-2 (tourist) status, F-1 (student) status, F-2 (dependent of student) status, or H-4 (dependent of H-1B holder) status.

Converting to B-2 Status (Tourist Visa)

Required Documents

• Most recent I-94
• Valid passport and visa stamps
• All previous I-797 approval notices (if applicable)
• Last three paystubs
• Bank statements showing sufficient funds

Important Timeline and Considerations

• You must file your B-2 Change of Status (COS) application before your 60-day grace period expires
• Your B-2 status will typically extend 180 days from the requested start date
• Processing time: 3-6 months (no premium processing available)
• Online filing is available
• You can file an H-1B transfer while your B-2 application is pending
• Important: You cannot file for F-1 status until your B-2 application is approved

Converting to F-1 Status (Student Visa)

Required Documents

• Most recent I-94
• Valid passport and visa stamps
• All previous I-797 approval notices
• Last three paystubs
• Bank statements
• Form I-20 from your school
• School admission offer letter
• J-1 two-year residency requirement waiver (if applicable)

Important Timeline and Considerations

• Must file before your 60-day grace period expires
• Your grace period must overlap with or be adjacent to the earliest admission date of your program.
• The earliest admission date for an F-1 student is 30 days before the start date of their program as indicated on their Form I-20
• Cannot begin classes until F-1 status is approved
• May remain in the U.S. while application is pending
• Cannot file for other status changes (H-1B, B-2, H-4, etc.) until F-1 is approved
• Premium processing available (30-day decision)

Converting to F-2 Status (Dependent of F-1 Student)

Required Documents

• Marriage certificate
• F-2 I-20 (must be requested by F-1 spouse from their university)
• F-1 spouse’s documentation:
  • All previous I-20s
  • All visa stamps
  • Valid passport
  • EAD card and recent pay stubs (if on OPT/STEM OPT)
• Your documentation:
  • All H-1B I-797 approval notices
  • Valid passport and visa stamps
  • Last three pay stubs
• Financial support evidence
• J-1 two-year residency requirement waiver (if applicable)

Important Timeline and Considerations

• Must file before 60-day grace period expires
• F-2 I-20 is mandatory
• Premium processing available (30-day decision)

Converting to H-4 Status (Dependent of H-1B Holder)

Required Documents

• Marriage certificate
• H-1B spouse’s documentation:
  • All I-797 approval notices
  • All visa stamps
  • Valid passport
  • Most recent three pay stubs
• Your documentation:
  • All H-1B I-797 approval notices
  • Last three pay stubs
  • Valid passport and visa stamps

Note: Immigration policies can change frequently. It’s recommended to consult with an immigration attorney for the most current guidance and to ensure your application meets all requirements.

H-1B失业后的转身份指南（必备材料与时间安排）

如果您最近失去了H-1B工作，了解如何保持美国合法身份至关重要。本指南详细介绍了四种主要选择：转换为B-2（旅游签证）身份、F-1（学生签证）身份、F-2（学生家属签证）身份或H-4（H-1B持有者家属签证）身份。

转换为B-2（旅游签证）身份

所需材料

• 最近的I-94表格
• 有效护照和签证印章
• 所有此前的I-797批准通知（如适用）
• 最近三个月的工资单
• 显示足够资金的银行对账单

重要时间安排和注意事项

• 必须在60天宽限期结束前提交B-2身份转换（COS）申请。
• B-2身份通常从申请的起始日期起延长180天。
• 处理时间：3-6个月（无加急处理）。
• 可在线提交申请。
• 在B-2申请待批期间，您可以申请H-1B转换。
• 注意：在B-2申请获批之前，您无法申请F-1身份。

转换为F-1（学生签证）身份

所需材料

• 最近的I-94表格
• 有效护照和签证印章
• 所有此前的I-797批准通知
• 最近三个月的工资单
• 银行对账单
• 学校出具的I-20表格
• 学校录取通知书
• J-1两年居住限制豁免（如适用）

重要时间安排和注意事项

• 必须在60天宽限期结束前提交申请。
• 您的宽限期必须与项目的最早入学日期重叠或紧邻。
• 根据I-20表格，F-1学生的最早入学日期为项目开始日期的前30天。
• 在F-1身份获批之前，不能开始上课。
• 可在申请待批期间留在美国。
• 在F-1获批之前，不能申请其他身份转换（如H-1B、B-2、H-4等）。
• 可选择加急处理（30天内决定）。

转换为F-2（学生家属签证）身份

所需材料

• 结婚证书 （中文结婚证需要翻译）
• F-2 I-20（需由F-1配偶向其学校申请）
• F-1配偶的材料：
  • 所有此前的I-20表格
  • 所有签证印章
  • 有效护照
  • EAD卡和最近的工资单（如处于OPT/STEM OPT阶段）
• 您的材料：
  • 所有H-1B I-797批准通知
  • 有效护照和签证印章
  • 最近三个月的工资单
  • 财务支持证明
  • J-1两年居住限制豁免（如适用）

重要时间安排和注意事项

• 必须在60天宽限期结束前提交申请。
• F-2 I-20为必备文件。
• 可选择加急处理（30天内决定）。

转换为H-4（H-1B家属签证）身份

所需材料

• 结婚证书（中文结婚证需要翻译）
• H-1B配偶的材料：
  • 所有I-797批准通知
  • 所有签证印章
  • 有效护照
  • 最近三个月的工资单
• 您的材料：
  • 所有H-1B I-797批准通知
  • 最近三个月的工资单
  • 有效护照和签证印章

注意：移民政策可能会频繁变化。建议您咨询专业移民律师以获取最新指导，确保您的申请符合所有要求。

By: Jiaqi Ji, Associate Attorney

 

Jiaqi Ji is an Associate Attorney at Reddy Neumann Brown PC who primarily focuses on employment-based cases. Jiaqi was born and raised in China, fluent in both English & Chinese. She came to the United States for higher legal education and went through the employment-based immigration process with her spouse. Jiaqi earned her Juris Doctor from George Washington University Law School.