Oracle, a major US-based tech company, has recently laid off thousands of employees, including many workers on H-1B visa, with the job cuts taking effect on March 31, 2026. This move is part of a wider pattern in the tech industry, where companies like Amazon and Microsoft are also cutting jobs.

For employees on H-1B visas who lost their jobs, taking quick action is very important to maintain their legal status in the United States. According to Gabriela Urizar, an immigration lawyer at Manifest Law, affected workers must respond without delay to follow US immigration rules properly. In a video she posted on Instagram, she advised, “H-1B workers who were recently laid off should act quickly to ensure they remain legal in the U.S.”

Maximizing the 60-day grace period

H-1B visa holders who lose their jobs are generally given a 60-day grace period, allowing them to stay legally in the US after employment ends. However, Urizar pointed out that this period is not guaranteed. Authorities such as the Department of Homeland Security can shorten or cancel it depending on the situation. The 60-day countdown begins from the employee’s last working day, so acting quickly is essential.

Immediate Action Plan For laid-off H-1B workers

Urizar outlined five important steps for those affected:

• Check your Form I-94: Visit the CBP website to verify your “admit until” date on Form I-94. This date shows how long you are allowed to stay in the US. If it expires within the 60-day window, your grace period may be shorter.
• Find a new employer and transfer your visa: Look for a company willing to file a new Form I-129 for you. Once the application is submitted, you can start working for the new employer even before it is fully approved.
• Change your visa status if needed: If you cannot secure a new job within 60 days, consider switching to another visa type, such as a student visa or a B-2 visitor visa.
• Check Green Card options: If you are already in the Green Card process and have an approved Form I-140, you may be able to apply for adjustment of status.
• Do not travel outside the US: Leaving the country during the grace period ends it immediately, and returning to the US could become difficult or even impossible.

Impacts of Oracle Job Cuts

The latest round of layoffs at Oracle began on March 31, with reports that some employees were informed as early as 6:00 am. Internal communication stated that their roles were terminated effective immediately.

The job cuts impacted several major divisions, including Oracle Health, Cloud, Sales, and NetSuite. Both new hires and employees who had worked with the company for many years were affected.

These layoffs are believed to be part of Oracle’s broader plan to streamline operations and shift major investments toward areas like artificial intelligence.