If you have received an employer-sponsored visa that allows you to legally live and work in the United States, you may have questions about how long you are required to stay at that job, or what happens if you are unable to keep it or are presented with a better opportunity. The good news is that just because an employer sponsored your employment-based visa does not mean that you are required to work for them forever. However, it is a decision that should be made carefully, as it can cost you your visa. For this reason, it is always a good idea to consult with an attorney before making any decisions related to your employment when you are in the states on an employment-based visa. Below we will provide some general guidelines to consider if you are wondering about your ability to leave your current position.

What Does it Mean if My Position is Permanent?

When your employer sponsors you for a visa, they must commit to offering you a permanent position. This does not actually mean that they are offering you a life-long job. Rather, it means that they are asking you to move to the United States in good faith for a position that is meant to last indefinitely. Otherwise, they would be wasting your time as well as that of USCIS by bringing you over for a temporary position that there is likely a far less burdensome way to fill. Likewise, in order to accept the job offer and act on the visa in good faith you must also commit to accepting the job indefinitely. This means that when you accept the job you have no plans or expectations of leaving it.