4) H-1B Path (The Lottery You Must Win)
Maintain H-1B status (stay compliant)
H-1B is employer-specific. You cannot do side consulting, start a business, or work for anyone else without a separate petition. If your salary changes by more than a few percent, your employer needs to file an amendment. If you want to change jobs, you can use H-1B portability—you can start working for the new employer as soon as USCIS receives their petition (don't wait for approval). If you get laid off, you have a 60-day grace period to find a new sponsor or change status. For international travel, you need a valid H-1B visa stamp in your passport—if it's expired, you'll need to get a new one at a U.S. consulate before returning.
You are not authorized to work until you have the Physical CPT I-20 in your hand.
- Enroll in a "CPT Course" or "Internship Credit" at your school.
- Submit your offer letter and department approval to your DSO.
- Wait for the DSO to print a new I-20. Look at Page 2. It must list your employer's name and the authorized dates.
- If the company asks you to start on Monday but your I-20 start date is Tuesday, you cannot work on Monday.
Record your progress
Mark this subsection complete to track your progress.