H Visa

If you are past your 60-day grace period, a pending H-1B acts as a "bridge petition." You can apply for a second transfer, but if the first one is denied, the second will also be denied. It is recommended to use premium processing for the first transfer to restore status before moving to a new employer.

This is discouraged as it permanently terminates STEM OPT status. The government may question your intent. Consider alternative compensation or cap-exempt H-1B roles instead.

Cap-Gap acts as an extension of the current underlying status. If the F-1 STEM OPT status allowed for dual employment, that authorization continues under Cap-Gap until the H-1B takes effect.

This is entirely possible. The key factor is whether the new role requires a specific degree and whether the applicant possesses the relevant degree and training, rather than the previous job title.

 Once an I-140 is approved and held for 180 days, the priority date is locked, and the applicant can extend an H-1B infinitely with any employer. To bridge a gap between roles, filing for a B-1 visa with an explicit intent of job hunting is a suggested strategy, rather than switching to an F-1 unless it represents a logical career progression.

A standard practice is to include a notarized letter inside the new H-1B petition package. The letter should explicitly state that if the H-1B is approved with status, the pending B-2 should be withdrawn; otherwise, B-2 processing should continue. 

While some arguments can be made that status continues as long as a full salary is paid, the safest preventative approach is to calculate the 60-day grace period starting from the day physical work stops.