Switching employers on an H-1B can speed up your career or stall your green card, often both at the same time. This tool puts your current employer, your target employer, and your I-140 status side by side so you can see the tradeoffs clearly before committing.
- Side-by-side employer comparison: Filing volume, wage-level distribution, petition-type mix, and sponsorship score for both companies, pulled from DOL OFLC LCA data.
- Green card timeline impact: The tool surfaces whether an approved I-140 at your current employer preserves your priority date (AC21 portability), what changes if you move before I-140 approval, and which scenarios trigger a PERM restart.
- Risk factors highlighted: Signals like a target employer with a shrinking sponsorship footprint, concentration at Level I wages, or heavy use of short-term petitions. These are the things worth asking about before you sign.
Data from DOL OFLC. This tool provides general information only and is not legal advice — consult an immigration attorney before changing employers.
What to Know Before Changing H-1B Employers
H-1B portability allows you to start working for a new employer as soon as they file an H-1B transfer petition (I-129). You don't need to wait for approval. However, the impact on your green card process depends heavily on your I-140 status.
If your I-140 is approved 180+ days: Your priority date is safe. Your former employer cannot revoke it. You can port this priority date to a new PERM/I-140 at the new employer.
If your I-140 is pending or recently approved: Your employer can withdraw the petition after you leave, potentially resetting your green card timeline. This is the highest-risk scenario.
This tool helps you evaluate the target employer's sponsorship track record, wage competitiveness, and transfer petition volume — so you can make an informed decision. It does not replace legal advice.
Understanding H-1B Employer Transfers
Changing employers on an H-1B visa is a significant decision that can affect your immigration timeline. Here is what you need to know.
What is an H-1B Transfer?
An H-1B transfer allows you to change employers without going through the H-1B lottery again. Your new employer files a new H-1B petition. You can start working for the new employer once the petition is filed (not approved).
Impact on Green Card
If your I-140 has been approved for 180+ days, you can generally retain your priority date when changing employers. If your I-140 is pending or approved less than 180 days, the old employer could revoke it.
Sponsorship Quality
Not all employers are equal sponsors. Filing volume, approval rates, and wage competitiveness indicate how experienced an employer is with visa sponsorship. A larger sponsorship track record generally means a smoother process.
Wage Comparison
This tool compares wages between your current and target employer using DOL OFLC LCA data. Higher wages relative to peers can indicate better career growth and stronger immigration cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Data sourced from DOL OFLC quarterly disclosure files. Not legal advice. Consult an immigration attorney before changing employers.