6) Career Mobility

When to switch jobs (and when not to)

In the U.S., your career is like a ladder. To get higher, you sometimes have to move your hands to a different rung. However, for international students, this ladder is attached to a very important rope: your Visa. If you move too fast or at the wrong time, you could fall. Here is how you manage your career moves while staying safe and growing your income.

Immigration-safe timing

This is the most critical part for you. Your legal status is tied to your employer. If you are on an H-1B, you have a 60-day grace period. If you quit or get fired, you have exactly 60 days to find a new job that will 'transfer' your visa, or you must leave the U.S. Never quit your current job until the new company has filed the 'H-1B Transfer' paperwork and you have the receipt from the government. If your company has started your Green Card (PERM stage), switching jobs usually means you have to start the whole process over.