The H1B grace period gives you up to 60 days after your employment ends, or until your I-94 end date if that comes first, to find a new sponsor, change status, or prepare to leave. Enter your dates below to see your exact deadline.
The H1B grace period starts after your H-1B employment ends and lasts up to 60 consecutive days or until the end of your authorized stay on your I-94, whichever is shorter. It is available once per authorized validity period, and DHS can shorten it at its discretion. The same rule covers L-1, O-1, TN, E-1, E-2, E-3 and H-1B1 workers. During this time you may remain in the United States, but you cannot work. Understanding exactly when your grace period ends, and what you can legally do during it, is critical for avoiding unlawful presence, which can trigger 3- or 10-year bars from the US.
Check your I-94 record at i94.cbp.dhs.gov for the official date.
Select your visa type and enter a date above to see your grace period.
| Visa Status | Grace Period | Trigger Event |
|---|---|---|
| H-1B | Up to 60 days | Employment ends (ends sooner if your I-94 end date comes first) |
| L-1 | Up to 60 days | Employment ends (ends sooner if your I-94 end date comes first) |
| TN | Up to 60 days | Employment ends (ends sooner if your I-94 end date comes first) |
| O-1 | Up to 60 days | Employment ends (ends sooner if your I-94 end date comes first) |
| E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B1 | Up to 60 days | Employment ends (ends sooner if your I-94 end date comes first) |
| F-1 OPT | 90 days (150 with STEM OPT) | Total unemployment days across your OPT period (not a single event) |
| J-1 | 30 days | DS-2019 program end date |
Sources: 8 CFR 214.1(l)(2) (DHS grace period rule, effective Jan 17, 2017) for H-1B, H-1B1, L-1, O-1, TN and E statuses; 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(E) for F-1 OPT unemployment limits. The grace period never extends past your I-94 end date, and DHS may shorten or eliminate it at its discretion. Always verify with a licensed immigration attorney.
This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law is complex and fact-specific. Consult a licensed immigration attorney for advice specific to your situation.
Sumit Patel
SMIEEE · FBCS · FIETE | 16+ years data engineering | 30+ peer-reviewed papers
Sumit built H1BVisaJobs.com on 10 GB+ of DOL LCA disclosure data (FY2022–FY2025). All immigration data and analysis on this site comes from primary government sources.