I am on STEM OPT. My current employer is filing my H1-B petition for FY2026 on March. However, I’m thinking about switching job in the future. If I do get selected in the lottery, when can I switch job? Also, should I bring this up to my new recruiter?
If you get selected in the H-1B lottery, your employer will need to file the petition, and if it’s approved, your status officially changes on October 1st. You can switch jobs after that by doing an H-1B transfer, but it’s usually safer to wait until your H-1B is fully approved and you have 2–3 pay stubs before making any moves.
As for telling the recruiter, it depends. If you’re just starting the interview process, it’s probably not a big deal. But if things start getting serious, it’s worth bringing up so they know what to expect.
You can request that your new employer fill out the H1B for you as well. As long as you are selected, you can decide which one to submit the formal application for.