I recently switched employers while on an H1B visa and have some concerns about my status during the transition:
- After leaving my previous employer, I utilized the 60-day grace period to find a new job. My new employer filed an H1B transfer before the grace period ended.
- My new employer started my payroll and project only after the H1B transfer approval, which was approximately 1.5 months after filing the petition.
- This means I don’t have paystubs for the 1.5 months following the end of the 60-day grace period, even though the transfer was filed on time.
I’m concerned about whether I was considered ‘out of status’ for the period between the grace period expiring and when payroll started after the approval.
- Does filing an H1B transfer within the grace period protect my status, even if payroll begins only after the approval?
- Could this gap without paystubs be an issue for future H1B transfers or extensions?
- Is there any action I should take now to mitigate potential problems?
Any insights or experiences with similar situations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!