Can laid off H-1B visa holders switch to tourist visas? Here's what USCIS says

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Key Points

Upon the transition of H-1B visa to either B-1 or B-2, immigrants are granted an additional 6-month stay in the US..

Top companies like Google, Microsoft, Tesla, Amazon, and Walmart have significantly reduced their workforce, which has raised the number of laid off H-1B visa holders..

Laid off immigrant workers holding H-1B visas can transition to B-1 or B-2 visitor visas to extend their stay in the US, per the USCIS guidelines What happens to H-1B visa holders during layoffs?..

Note: When an immigrant transitions to B-1 or B-2, they are not allowed to work until they get back their H-1B visa status..

Will my pending I-539 change of status application to B-1 or B-2 be prioritized if I find a new employer who files an I-129 petition with a request for premium processing service?.

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