Can I shift job immediately after H1-B approval or should I wait till October 1st

[ramesh8989]

Hi Murthy,

 

I am currently in OPT(Optional Practical Training)  F1-Student visa and my H1-B was approved by USCIS a week ago. I am in a dilemma as to weather it is safe/possible to move jobs before oct 1st. Is the H1-B porting from OPT/EAD different when compared to porting if one is are already on H1-B.  

 

a.) Is it possible for the new company to initiate my H1-B transfer even before Oct-1st . I want to make sure the transfer happens on Oct-1st so that my status remains valid.

 

b.) Will my OPT (F-1) status change to H1-B on Oct-1st only if I am employed with a company or will it remain in OPT if I remain unemployed on Oct-1st?

 

 

Thanks,

Ramesh

 

 

[JoeF]

If you change to another H1 employer, it may look as if the original H1 was fraudulent, and the H1 job didn't really exist.

In other words, such a change is a red flag.