H-1B 60-Day Grace Period: What to Know After a Layoff, Termination, or Notice Period
Experiencing a layoff is incredibly stressful, especially when your ability to live and work in the U.S. is tied to your employment. At Founder Law, we work with brilliant tech founders and innovators every day who face this exact hurdle. If you’ve just been laid off on an H-1B, take a deep breath. You have […]
Can You Switch From O-1 to H-1B? A Strategic Guide for Founders and Specialists
If you’re an extraordinary founder building the future on an O-1 visa, you might be wondering about your next steps. Our team at Founder Law is passionate about unlocking your potential so you can transcend borders and focus on scaling your vision. Many founders may be weighing the strategic choice to switch from O-1 to […]
Cap-Exempt H-1B for Startups: Lottery Alternatives for Founders
Building a startup takes immense courage and vision—something a random visa lottery simply doesn’t care about. We talk to brilliant founders every day who are terrified of losing their companies to a coin flip. The good news? You don’t have to. For startups affiliated with the right institutions, a cap-exempt H-1B application provides a powerful […]
Not Selected in H-1B? Best Alternative Immigration Options for 2026
Not being selected in the H-1B lottery does not always mean your U.S. work plans are over. It means you need to consider the next-strongest path based on your profile, employer, nationality, and long-term goals. For some people, the best option may be an O-1, E-3, TN, L-1, cap-exempt H-1B, or International Entrepreneur Parole. For […]
O-1A Visa for Founders: Why It’s A Strong Alternative To H-1B in 2026
In 2026, many founders and high-skilled professionals are considering the O-1A visa over the H-1B due to faster timelines and more control over the application process. Remember, it is more controllable than lottery-based systems, but still evidence-dependent. With the H-1B lottery becoming increasingly competitive and uncertain, the O-1A visa for individuals with extraordinary ability has […]
H-1B 2026 Wage-Weighted Lottery What Employers Must Do Before Registration
The H-1B cap selection process is changing for the FY 2027 cap season (registration in March 2026) with a wage-weighted selection model replacing the traditional randomized lottery. Higher prevailing-wage roles receive better odds, so employers hiring specialized international talent must prepare earlier, especially on wage level inputs, SOC codes, and job/location accuracy, before the registration […]
How Employers Can Navigate The H-1B Wage-Weighted Selection System in 2026
The H-1B Overall Is Launching – March 2026 Employers relying on global talent will need to move from a volume-based, reactive H-1B approach to a deliberate, compensation-driven workforce strategy. The wage-weighted selection system fundamentally changes what actually improves selection odds. Launching in March 2026 with the FY 2027 H-1B cap season, the new wage-weighted H-1B […]
H-1B 2026 Lottery Changes: How Wage-Weighting Impacts Selection
A DHS final rule shifts the cap-subject H-1B registration selection process from a purely random draw to a wage-weighted model that increases selection odds for roles offered at higher OEWS wage levels. The rule is effective February 27, 2026 and will apply to the March 2026 H-1B cap registration season (for employment starting October 1, […]
H-1B Visa Social Media Screening: 7 Preparation Steps
State Department Policy Expands Vetting Process For H-1B Visa Thorough background checks, application assessment, and interviews are common steps in “vetting” a candidate’s eligibility for U.S. immigration approval. The State Department’s consular officers, along with DHS and FBI, screen visa applicants against law enforcement and other watchlists. Beginning December 15, 2025, the U.S. State Department […]
H-1B Visa $100,000 Fee in 2025: Employer & Applicant Guide
On September 19, 2025, President Donald Trump announced a new $100,000 H-1B visa fee, reshaping how U.S. employers hire international workers. This one-time surcharge applies to new H-1B petitions filed for applicants outside the U.S. beginning September 21, 2025. In this guide, we explain what the $100,000 H-1B fee means, who it impacts, provide confirmed […]