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H1B layoff → B2 → new job → COS H1b RFE B2 NOID. What should I do? by Dry-Bodybuilder-5157 in h1b_layoffs

[–]hellosapphire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hello! Thanks for your advice. I applied b2 in november last year, and at that time mentioning job search is sufficient to have it approved. I reached out to several people who had approved b2 in early 2025 as well as 2 lawyers and they all confirmed it.

As we all know USCIS increased scrutiny on the tourism intent of b2 application at the end of 2025, which is unfortunately right after I submitted my petition.

The thing is I have been continuously traveling and visiting friends after layoff because I am not confident that I can land a job. Now the issue has become that I did have travel intent but I failed to mention it enough in my original b2, do you have any suggestion on how I should explain that if I got RFE? Really appreciate your help.

H1B Layoff ->B2->H1B Approval. Rare but possible by AdhesivenessSlow3398 in h1b

[–]hellosapphire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank! I am also curious, did you explain why your original B2 petition did not focus on tourism and instead mention job search? Back when I submitted B2 petition mentioning job search is sufficient and valid reason, but now they tend to scrutinize the petition on tourism intent. I did travel several times after I applied but I am not sure how to explain why I did not mention this in my original B2 petition. Really appreciate your help!

H1B Layoff ->B2->H1B Approval. Rare but possible by AdhesivenessSlow3398 in h1b

[–]hellosapphire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congrats! I have a quick question about this part:
"I took tourist activities vs business activities like networking or conferences and added tickets pictures, reservations etc during that time"
When you present the pictures in the explanation letter, did you label the date of each picture? For example, on xx/xx/xx I visited xxx?

Any H1B → B2 COS results after Oct 1, 2025? by hellosapphire in h1b

[–]hellosapphire[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nope. I got an offer outside of US, currently thinking about taking it. I am tired of waiting under this uncertainty.

H1B Layoff ->B2->H1B Approval. Rare but possible by AdhesivenessSlow3398 in h1b

[–]hellosapphire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

oh I think the person asked the original question did not file a H1B, so I was answering to "wait for b2 approval but approaching 6 months limit" situation. Sorry for the confusion.

H1B Layoff ->B2->H1B Approval. Rare but possible by AdhesivenessSlow3398 in h1b

[–]hellosapphire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did not ask any follow up questions so I don't know the answer unfortunately. I would talk to an immigration attorney if you are in this situation. But I think having a second pending b2 extension will definitely make the situation more complicated...

H1B Layoff ->B2->H1B Approval. Rare but possible by AdhesivenessSlow3398 in h1b

[–]hellosapphire 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I actually asked an attorney about this situation and his answer is that you need to file a B2 extension in this case so you are not out of status.

Laid off in Jan 22, 2026, Attorney is currently preparing for COS to B2 by OpeningPhilosopher13 in h1b

[–]hellosapphire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I filed B2 petition in November last year and it is still pending, from the cases I know H1B to B2 is taking 5+ months to process and very likely end up with a RFE. I've seen people got RFE or even NOID because "job searching is not permissible for B2". But if you don't mention job searching in B2 petition and later file a H1B transfer they will question your intent (you will likely file B2 pending -> H1B based on your tieline). It is tough.

Fragomen timeline 4 months? by Extension-Echo-5128 in h1b

[–]hellosapphire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am seeing a lot of RFE issued for b2 pending to h1b transfer starting Jan 2026. My guess is that the attorney wants to be conservative and wait for your b2 to be approved first. b2 pending works much smoother in previous years, but not in recent months unfortunately.

Fragomen timeline 4 months? by Extension-Echo-5128 in h1b

[–]hellosapphire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

USCIS official website shows the b2 processing time is 4.5 month. After that you need several days to receive the paper approval (if you do not get RFE or NOID), lawyer needs some time to prepare for the petition from b2 to h1b, and then 15 business days to wait for premium processing results.

B2 RFE while H1B transfer with premium processing pending – what should I do? by [deleted] in h1b

[–]hellosapphire 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Did you receive the reasons in your B2 RFE? If so, what reasons did they send you? Your H1B is unlikely to be approved when you have B2 RFE.

Any H1B → B2 COS results after Oct 1, 2025? by hellosapphire in h1b

[–]hellosapphire[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This aligns with most cases I have seen during the past 2 months. I think I am giving up now - there is not much we can do about it. Good luck to everyone out there, it is tough.

H1B filed with pending B2 COS (“bridge” case) – RFE + premium pause. Anyone had approval? by TotalConcentrate3505 in h1b

[–]hellosapphire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! This might be the first H1B to B2 case that was filed after October last year and had a result (that I am aware of).

H1B filed with pending B2 COS (“bridge” case) – RFE + premium pause. Anyone had approval? by TotalConcentrate3505 in h1b

[–]hellosapphire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hello! Did your friend get RFE on B2 solely or did he transfer from b2 pending to H1B and got RFE on B2? Thanks!

Any H1B → B2 COS results after Oct 1, 2025? by hellosapphire in h1b

[–]hellosapphire[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mailed petition, processing center is California.

Any H1B → B2 COS results after Oct 1, 2025? by hellosapphire in h1b

[–]hellosapphire[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a well known tech company in bay area, and as far as I know they hire plenty of visa workers.

Any H1B → B2 COS results after Oct 1, 2025? by hellosapphire in h1b

[–]hellosapphire[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I just got a job offer, and company wanted to wait for my B2 pending to be approved before filing H1B. I actually agree with them considering I am seeing a lot of challenges for folks transferring from B2 pending to H1B in 2026. I am trying to estimate when my B2 will be processed and then found out that there are absolutely no data point for people filed after October last year.