The Donald Trump administration has proposed a major change to the rules governing foreign workers in the United States. The proposal would end the current 60 day grace period available to some temporary visa holders after they lose or leave their jobs.&nbsp;The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed the rule change, which could put greater pressure on Indian professionals holding H-1B and certain other temporary work visas. Under the proposed system, workers would be required to leave the US once their employment ends.<h2>What the proposed rule would change</h2>At present, eligible foreign workers can generally remain in the US for up to 60 days after a layoff or termination, or until their authorised stay expires, whichever comes first. The period can allow them to search for another employer, apply for a change of status such as a transition to a B visitor visa, or prepare to leave the country.&nbsp;The proposed change would remove that flexibility and directly link a worker's non-immigrant status to the employment or activity that supported their admission or status in the US.&nbsp;“This proposal restores a direct relationship between an alien’s non-immigrant status and the specific employment or activity that formed the basis of his or her admission or grant of status in the United States and reduces administrative burden,” the DHS said in a statement on Thursday.&nbsp;The proposal would also affect American technology companies and other businesses that depend on foreign workers. The DHS acknowledged the potential impact on companies but said the affected positions could instead be offered to American workers.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-seeks-to-bridge-brics-divisions-ahead-of-new-delhi-summit-1789062012165">India seeks to bridge BRICS divisions ahead of New Delhi summit</a><h2>Policy introduced in 2016 could be reversed</h2>The proposed rule represents a reversal of a policy introduced by DHS in 2016. The agency had then recognised that workers could lose their jobs through circumstances beyond their control and allowed skilled foreign workers additional time to secure new employment.&nbsp;The DHS said some workers who leave the US could potentially return if their employer later files a petition on their behalf.&nbsp;"DHS presumes that they will either offer the same jobs to equally qualified U.S. workers or go through the I-129 petition process depending on their workforce requirement," the notice said.&nbsp;The proposal comes as the Trump administration continues to tighten rules around legal migration after returning to office in January 2025. The administration has also introduced higher visa fees for skilled workers and recently paused immigrant visa appointments at US missions worldwide while it rolls out a new training programme.

The Trump administration has proposed ending the 60 day grace period for H-1B workers after job loss, a move that could particularly affect Indian professionals in the US.

The Donald Trump administration has proposed a major change to the rules governing foreign workers in the United States. The proposal would end the current 60 day grace period available to some temporary visa holders after they lose or leave their jobs. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed the rule change, which could put greater pressure on Indian professionals holding H-1B and certain other temporary work visas. Under the proposed system, workers would be required to leave the US once their employment ends. What the proposed rule would change At present, eligible foreign workers can generally remain in the US for up to 60 days after a layoff or termination, or until their authorised stay expires, whichever comes first. The period can allow them to search for another employer, apply for a change of status such as a transition to a B visitor visa, or prepare to leave the country. The proposed change would remove that flexibility and directly link a worker's non-immigrant status to the employment or activity that supported their admission or status in the US. “This proposal restores a direct relationship between an alien’s non-immigrant status and the specific employment or activity that formed the basis of his or her admission or grant of status in the United States and reduces administrative burden,” the DHS said in a statement on Thursday. The proposal would also affect American technology companies and other businesses that depend on foreign workers. The DHS acknowledged the potential impact on companies but said the affected positions could instead be offered to American workers. Also Read: India seeks to bridge BRICS divisions ahead of New Delhi summit Policy introduced in 2016 could be reversed The proposed rule represents a reversal of a policy introduced by DHS in 2016. The agency had then recognised that workers could lose their jobs through circumstances beyond their control and allowed skilled foreign workers additional time to secure new employment. The DHS said some workers who leave the US could potentially return if their employer later files a petition on their behalf. "DHS presumes that they will either offer the same jobs to equally qualified U.S. workers or go through the I-129 petition process depending on their workforce requirement," the notice said. The proposal comes as the Trump administration continues to tighten rules around legal migration after returning to office in January 2025. The administration has also introduced higher visa fees for skilled workers and recently paused immigrant visa appointments at US missions worldwide while it rolls out a new training programme.

The Trump administration has proposed ending the 60 day grace period for H-1B workers after job loss, a move that could particularly affect Indian professionals in the US.

Trump administration proposes to end 60 day H-1B grace period after job loss; Indian workers to get impacted

US Work Visa: The US Department of Homeland Security has ended the automatic extension of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for foreign workers who file renewal applications on or after October 30, 2025. 


US Work Visa: New US Work Visa Rules Tighten Foreign Worker Permits

us-work-visa

Us Work Visa, News on Us Work Visa, stories on Us Work Visa, articles on Us Work Visa, Us Work Visa stories at Wion, Us Work Visa news, Us Work Visa latest news

us work-visa

Trump administration proposes to end 60 day H-1B grace period after job loss; Indian workers to get impacted

US Work Visa: New US Work Visa Rules Tighten Foreign Worker Permits