Losing your job is hard for anyone, but more so for someone on a U.S. employment-based visa. Your immigration status, your ability to stay in this country, and everything you have built here may suddenly feel at risk. The situation is serious, but it is not hopeless.
Under 8 CFR § 214.1, nonimmigrant visa holders are required to maintain the conditions of their visa status. For employment-based visas, that generally means remaining employed by the sponsoring employer. When that employment ends, your status may be affected almost immediately, depending on the type of visa you hold.
Understanding what happens to your visa status after a job loss and what steps you can take is the first and most important thing you can do right now. If you are facing this situation in 2026, a DuPage County, IL immigration lawyer can help you understand your options and act quickly to protect your status.