How a transfer actually works
The new employer files a fresh petition. Under H-1B portability you can generally begin work once that petition has been filed and receipted, rather than waiting months for approval.
Your status stays tied to employment. Gaps are the dangerous part, so line up the filing before you resign anything.
Who takes transfers
Filing data separates employers into three groups: those who mostly file for new employment, those who mostly absorb transfers, and those who do both.
Employers whose filings lean towards transfers are the fastest route for you, because hiring you costs them no lottery risk. Some say so explicitly in postings; we label those roles “transfers only”.
Questions worth asking the recruiter
- Have you filed H-1B transfers recently, and how long did they take?
- Will you use premium processing?
- Who covers legal fees, and what happens if the transfer is denied?
- Is the start date flexible if the receipt notice is slow?
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Browse H-1B transfer jobsCommon questions
- Does an H-1B transfer go through the lottery?
- No. If your current H-1B was counted against the cap, a new employer's petition is cap-exempt and can be filed any time.
- When can I start the new job?
- Usually once the new petition is filed and receipted, under H-1B portability. Confirm the specifics of your case with an immigration attorney.
- How many transfers can I do?
- There is no fixed limit, though each one needs a fresh petition and a job that matches your qualifications.
Official sources
General information, not legal advice. Immigration rules change and individual cases differ — confirm your own with a licensed immigration attorney.