Termination of Employment

Unlike others, the H-1B classification does not allow for a "grace period" after an H-1B worker's employment ends. Technically, an H-1B employee falls out of status upon termination of employment and should depart the United States immediately unless he/she has obtained sponsorship through another employer and that employer filed a new H-1B petition prior to the termination.

If a UMMC H-1B employee is terminated for any reason before the expiration of the period of H-1B employment requested by the H-1B sponsoring department, the department must pay the reasonable cost of the employee’s return transportation to the home country. The return transportation is not applicable when the employee voluntarily ends employment.