H1B. Switching employers before Oct 1st?

Is it possible to change employers between being selected in the lottery and October 1st? Currently, an individual is employed by Company A, which will register the individual for the March lottery. However, due to personal reasons, a transition to Company B is planned in the near future—likely after the March lottery registration closes, meaning Company B would not be able to register the individual. What options are available if the individual is selected in the lottery under Company A's registration and then wishes to switch employers? Is this common in the investment banking, private equity or finance industry in general?

2 Comments
 

I went through the H1B transfer process in the past to a startup (though after Oct. 1st) - I'm pretty sure you have to wait for Company A to file for your H1B petition and have it approved by the government before you can switch to another employer. The March lottery only determines who gets to apply - Company A still needs to actually file the H1B petition if you get selected.

If you are selected by the lottery and Company A files your petition under premium processing (costs $$ but you'll hear back from USCIS in two weeks max), you'll likely find out around June timeframe, after which you can file for transfer.

TLDR do not switch employers if you are selected by the lottery until AFTER you get your full visa approved by the government

 

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