Impact on H-1B status during a furlough

[sand1786]

Hello there,

I’m on H-1B and my employer announced on March 27th, 2020 that I’ll be placed on a temporary furlough from March 28th, 2020 until May 31st, 2020 with a return date set to June 1st, 2020. This is due to the ongoing COVID 19 situation.

I am aware that the DOL mandates that any H-1B employee cannot stay unemployed for more than 60 days grace period. 
In my case, the furlough period will exceed the 60 day period.

Could you please advice what are my options to maintain my H-1B status intact?

Thanks!

[gopalakrishnach]

You need to talk this with your employer/immigration attorney. More than 60 days is not allowed. I do not know how your employer came to that decision.