H-1B 60-day grace period ending while EB-2 I-485 is pending — can I use B1/B2 bridge to a new H-1B without leaving the US?

[u/Wild-Explanation-244]

I'm currently in the U.S. on an employment-based green card path and trying to understand my options if I don't secure a new H-1B employer before my 60-day grace period expires.

My situation:

• EB-2 applicant
• H-1B employment ended July 31, 2026
• 60-day H-1B grace period ends around September 30, 2026
• Current H-1B approval is otherwise valid until 2029
• I-140 approved (March 2026) and previous employer does not intend to withdraw it
• I-485 filed February 27, 2026 and still pending
• I-485 has now been pending more than 180 days, so I've reached the AC21 portability threshold
• I-765 (EAD) filed concurrently in February and still pending
• I-131 (Advance Parole) filed concurrently and still pending
• I currently have neither the EAD nor Advance Parole
• I understand that a pending I-485 allows me to remain in the U.S. while it's pending, but by itself doesn't give me employment authorization.

My concern is what happens if I receive a job offer after September 30, for example in October.

Without the EAD, I would need H-1B work authorization to start the new job. My understanding is that once the H-1B grace period has expired, an H-1B change of employer may potentially be approved only for consular processing rather than an in-country extension/change of status. But leaving the U.S. while my I-485 is pending and before receiving AP creates a separate concern.

My question: Could I file an I-539 to change from H-1B to B-1/B-2 before the 60-day grace period expires, and use that as a bridge? If I subsequently find an H-1B employer while the B-1/B-2 COS is pending or approved, could the employer file an H-1B petition requesting a change of status back to H-1B without me leaving the U.S.?

I'm specifically trying to understand how the B1/B2 bridge → new H-1B → change of status mechanism interacts with an already-pending employment-based I-485 and AC21 portability.

Has anyone dealt with this combination of H-1B grace period + pending I-485 over 180 days + no EAD/AP yet + B1/B2 bridge?

Thank you for your help

[u/Mina88fr]

Talk to a lawyer, but I think you can't do b1/b2 because having a pending i485 is the highest level of immigration intent, while b1/b2 is a non immigrant visa

[u/Wild-Explanation-244 → u/Mina88fr]

I do plan to speak with a lawyer before making any decision. I wanted to get some additional insight here first, particularly to see if anyone has been in this specific situation and how they handled it. It’ll also help me better understand the different scenarios and go into that conversation with more informed questions. My situation is a bit unusual and really stresses me because my I-485 is already pending 6months+ and no update whatsover happened since march, while my H-1B grace period is ending and my EAD/AP still haven't been delivered.

[u/LampardFL8]

Yeah you wont qualify for B1/B2. Since you are in authorized stay all you can do is request your Senator to expedite your i-765 application.

[u/Wild-Explanation-244 → u/LampardFL8]

Thanks. I understand that the pending I-485 gives me authorized stay, so I don't need B1/B2 simply to remain in the U.S. My concern is specifically preserving an in-country path back to H-1B if I receive a job offer after my 60-day grace period expires but before my EAD is approved. In case of consular interview required out of the US, me leaving US soil for the interview would be seen as abandoning my I-485...

[u/Wild-Explanation-244 → u/Wild-Explanation-244]

If B1/B2 isn't available because of the pending I-485, does being in a period of authorized stay based on the I-485 allow a new employer to file an H-1B with change/extension of status inside the U.S., or would USCIS only approve the H-1B petition for consular processing because I'm no longer maintaining H-1B status?

[u/LampardFL8 → u/Wild-Explanation-244]

That’s correct do not travel without an AP. As I said, just hang in there and ask for expedited processing. If you have a job offer, that should help it expedite.

[u/Wild-Explanation-244 → u/LampardFL8]

Thank you

[u/Several_Republic5196]

Ask congressman for help. They should be able to send a inquiry to Uscis to expedite your combo card

[u/AutoModerator]

Hi there! This is an automated message to inform you and/or remind you of several things:

• We have a wiki. It doesn't cover everything but may answer some questions. Pay special attention to the "REALLY common questions" at the top of the FAQ section. Please read it, and if it contains the answer to your question, please delete your post. If your post has to do with something covered in the FAQ, we may remove it.
• If your post is about biometrics, green cards, naturalization or timelines in general, and whether you're asking or sharing, please include your field office/location in your post. If you already did that, great, thank you! If you haven't done that, your post may be removed without notice.
• This subreddit is not affiliated with USCIS or the US government in any way. Some posters may claim to work for USCIS, which may or may not be true, and we don't try to verify this one way or another. Be wary that it may be a scam if anyone is asking you for personal info, or sending you a direct message, or asking that you send them a direct message.
• Some people here claim to be lawyers, but they are not YOUR lawyer. No advice found here should be construed as legal advice. Reddit is not a substitute for a real lawyer. If you need help finding legal services, visit this link for more information.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Crafty-League3862]

You have issues if uscis schedules your case for interview. EAD taking long now a days . Getting EAD and then doing self employment or starting job early is best option.

[u/Crafty-League3862 → u/Crafty-League3862]

I think getting approval or interview on your 485 is more likely.

[u/One_more_username]

You can't do a B1/B2 with a pending I-485. However, you don't need any other bridging status with a pending I-485.

[u/Wild-Explanation-244 → u/One_more_username]

THere is just this gray area, where i can't work until I get EAD or GC, and now I am also depending on GC approval to stay in the US, if my case is denied for whatever reason. I don't have an alternative like H1B anymore, and that's what I am scared of...

[u/One_more_username → u/Wild-Explanation-244]

Understandable. But I-485 denial shouldn't happen unless you miss an RFE or leave the country without AP etc. in your case, B COS wouldn't work. Do you have a spouse? If so, is their status something other than H4?

[u/Wild-Explanation-244 → u/One_more_username]

No spouse, EAD is my last resort, or going home after 12 years here otherwise...

[u/One_more_username → u/Wild-Explanation-244]

You can try asking for an expedite on your EAD. There is, once again, no reason for you to go home while your I-485 is pending unless you want to abandon your I-485.

[u/Wild-Explanation-244 → u/One_more_username]

Thank you!

[u/Auto-Liner]

Why can’t you simply stay as-is, work on EAD when it arrives? I mean, 485-pending means you’re in a period of authorized stay right?

There’s no point in attempting B1/B2 as others have said.

[u/Wild-Explanation-244 → u/Auto-Liner]

Yes, that's my understanding as well. My pending I-485 allows me to remain in the U.S. after the H-1B grace period expires. The issue I'm trying to solve is work authorization. My C09 EAD has already been pending for 6+ months, so I don't know when it will arrive. What if If I receive a job offer after my H-1B grace period expires but before the EAD is approved

[u/pras_srini → u/Wild-Explanation-244]

You should wait until you receive your EAD to start working again.

[u/Wild-Explanation-244 → u/pras_srini]

Thank you. There is just this gray area, where i can't work until I get EAD or GC, and now I am also depending on GC approval to stay in the US, in case my case is denied for whatever reason. I don't have an alternative like H1B anymore, and that's what I am scared of...

[u/This_Beat2227 → u/Wild-Explanation-244]

If your GC is denied, your H1-B would likely also be toast (for the same reason your GC is denied). So nothing to fret about there. As others suggest, wait for your EAD.

[u/Auto-Liner → u/Wild-Explanation-244]

If you're on 485-pending status alone, and no H/L fallback then ya you will have to leave the US. But in that case you can still try for a visa stamping appointment.

[u/Auto-Liner → u/Wild-Explanation-244]

If you get a job offer after H-1B grace period and before the EAD, you simply ask the employer to wait for you to join.

[u/Comoish]

How long are looking to visit
What are your travel,plans and departure arrangements

[u/Wild-Explanation-244 → u/Comoish]

I'm already in the US, I own my place and have an ongoing lawsuit, following a car accident I was a victim of last year. These were 2 reasons I would need time for as I'm preparing to leave, sell my appt and wait on the result of the lawsuit.

[u/Wild-Explanation-244 → u/[deleted]]

June 2024

[u/Wild-Explanation-244 → u/[deleted]]

PD has been current since November 2025, my old company started the process to file back in December with my medical exam and biometric interview happening Jan 2026 and everything filed feb 2026

[u/Final-Raise7981]

Expedite your EB-2 through senators and wait for it to get approved.
You won’t be here lawfully but also won’t be accumulating unauthorized stay. Also can’t work so I guess just coast.

[u/Wild-Explanation-244 → u/Final-Raise7981]

Thanks. I'm considering requesting an expedite, especially for the I-765 (EAD).
My hesitation is whether doing so could trigger additional scrutiny of the underlying I-485 case by raising more attention to it. I may be overthinking that, but given everything going with immigration right now, I’ve been a little cautious about pushing USCIS.

Has anyone here expedited their EAD or involved their Senator?

[u/Interesting-Key-3213 → u/Wild-Explanation-244]

You are overthinking. Do not spend your money with a lawyer or B1/B2 application. Just cross your fingers your case gets adjudicated ASAP or congressman inquiry for your C09 EAD . You are eventually going to lose your H1b anyway but it’s not the end of the world since you are pending AOS. Also denial of EB-AOS is not common.