A growing number of H-1B visa holders facing potential layoffs in the United States are considering whether to shift their or their spouses’ visa status to F1/F2 as a strategy to extend their stay while searching for new jobs — or whether it makes more sense to cut losses and return to their home countries.
Pursue F1/F2 Status?
One Reddit user shared their dilemma: currently on an H-1B visa with strong internal signals pointing to an impending layoff, they are exploring changing their spouse’s status from H4 to F1 for full-time studies. They plan to file a change of status (COS) with premium processing, hoping that if they lose their job, the spouse can switch to F2 status as a backup during the job hunt. With two years of U.S. experience and sufficient savings to cover tuition and living costs for a year, the user remains uncertain, given the slow job market and the possibility of exhausting savings without securing work or OPT opportunities.
Reddit Users Share Diverse Perspectives on Visa Strategy
The discussion on Reddit drew insights from users who had faced similar circumstances. One commenter explained, “It totally depends on your case. In my case when I was on H-1B and at the end of 6th year my employer had not started the process for GC, he started few months before sixth year of H-1B, but was too late and while my labors was in the process, I had no choice but to transfer to F1. After completing my MBA I went back to my same employer on H-1B as my labor and I-140 was approved and continued with him until I received my GC. But it depends what would you like to do.”
Another user added, “In the same position. We were thinking to go back home and do the stamping but the slots have dried up. Evaluating our options.”
As visa holders grapple with uncertain job prospects and immigration hurdles, many are turning to online communities for guidance on navigating the complex interplay between legal status and career continuity in the U.S.