A professional currently on an H-1B visa has shared their anxiety about potentially losing their job after a three-month performance improvement plan (PIP) ends on November 24th. The Reddit post titled, “PIP on H-1B – Possibly will lose my job after November 24th” has sparked discussions among users on H1B challenges, job market constraints, and visa options.
Navigating Job Search Amid Freezes and Market Challenges
“Hello all, as the title suggested, I’m currently on 3-month PIP process with the end date of November 24th. I’m fairly certain that I will lose my job after November 24th and have been actively applying to new jobs every day! However, with multiple companies freezing H1Bs and the lousy job market right now, I’m not confident that I can find a new job before then. My H1B is valid until Oct 10th, 2027,” the user wrote.
The worker added details about their visa status and job prospects. “I know that I have 60 days after I lose my job to find a new job/preparing to leave the country. I also know that I can technically lengthen this process by apply for a B1/B2 visa and can legally stay and continue to look for job,” they explained.
Questions About B1/B2 Visa and Re-entry
The Redditor also shared specifics about their H-1B situation. “I’m on my first H1B, I got mine approved in Oct last year and have been on it for ~10 months. I don’t have an approved I-140 since my company doesn’t really do those, they told me.”
They asked for advice from the community: “Based on your knowledge, do you think B1/B2 is a feasible option? Has anyone gone through this process and succeed?”
They also sought clarity on re-entry procedures: “If I leave the country on the 60th date after losing my job, can I come back into the country if I find an employer before my H1B expired? What will this process look like, I understand that since I’m on H1B, as long as I come back before Oct 10th, 2027, I can re-capture my time spent outside of the country. Also, what would my new company need to do? Do they need to re-sponsor me?”
The post has drawn attention to the challenges H1B visa holders face amid employment uncertainties and market freezes, highlighting the importance of understanding visa rules during transitions.