Trump Administration Targets H-1B Visa Holders with Proposed Grace Period Elimination
The Trump administration is considering eliminating the 60-day grace period for H-1B visa holders, which allows them to stay in the US and find a new sponsor after losing their job. This move would force foreign workers to leave the country immediately when their employment ends.
The proposal, published in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, affects not only H-1B visa holders but also other temporary work visas, including E-1 international trader visa holders and O-1 visas for individuals with extraordinary ability in science, sports, or the arts.
The change is part of President Trump's efforts to limit legal migration since returning to office in January 2025. The administration has also introduced higher visa fees for skilled workers and paused immigrant visa appointments at US missions worldwide while implementing a new training program.