A Reddit user on an H-1B visa recently shared an experience involving an administrative mistake by their former employer that could have immigration implications. They had officially informed their employer in writing that their final working day would be May 23, 2025, as they were preparing to move to a new job. However, the employer mistakenly recorded May 16, 2025, as the termination date in their internal system. Based on this incorrect date, the employer submitted a withdrawal of the user’s H-1B petition to USCIS earlier than intended.
Although the employer later corrected their internal records, the H-1B withdrawal had already been submitted and could not be undone. The user, unaware of the withdrawal at the time, continued to work for two more days—May 19 and May 20. After HR notified them of the issue, they stopped working immediately.
The user mentioned they were paid for the full week, including the two days after the withdrawal. They also noted that their H-1B transfer to the new employer had already been approved prior to those dates.
The main concern now is whether those two days of unintended work after the withdrawal might cause problems in the future—such as during H-1B extensions, visa renewals, employer changes, or green card applications.
Some responses in the discussion suggested that short periods of unauthorized employment, especially if accidental, promptly corrected, and free from any fraudulent intent, typically do not result in serious consequences. However, such incidents can still be part of the individual’s immigration record and may draw attention during future immigration processes like consular interviews or status adjustments.
