H-1B Layoffs vs. Overall Tech Layoffs in 2026
A directional estimate of H-1B exposure in 2026 U.S. tech layoffs, with company-level estimates and broader labor-market context by seniority, income, and state.
Published July 3, 2026 · Data through June 2026 · Estimates are directional, not official counts
Written by Deepak Updated July 2026
Immigrant with nearly 20 years of U.S. experience Reviewed against official guidance
Important methodology note
No public dataset identifies laid-off workers by visa status. This report estimates H-1B exposure by combining public layoff trackers, USCIS H-1B petition data, company workforce estimates, WARN notice context, and clearly stated assumptions. Seniority, income, and state sections provide market context, not confirmed H-1B layoff counts.
What the report estimates
Public layoff trackers show roughly 164K–186K U.S. tech workers laid off in 2026 year-to-date. Using a proportionality assumption and company-level H-1B petition data, LayoffNext estimates that roughly 9.3K–12.3K of those layoffs may have involved H-1B workers. That implies estimated H-1B exposure of about 6–7% of 2026 U.S. tech layoffs.
This does not prove H-1B workers are being targeted more or less than other workers. The key difference is the consequence: a laid-off H-1B worker may need a new sponsor, filing strategy, status-change option, or departure plan within a limited grace period.
Estimated H-1B exposure by company
Aggregate estimate across companies not individually modeled
9,500 announced · 8,550 U.S.-weighted · 6,295 FY2025 H-1B approvals
16,000 announced · 19,176 FY2025 H-1B approvals
Combined estimate across 12 additional tracked employers
9,625 announced layoffs
21,000 announced · 8,400 U.S.-weighted · 2,753 FY2025 H-1B approvals
1,500 announced layoffs
Values are estimated H-1B exposure, not confirmed H-1B layoffs. Company estimates combine announced layoffs, U.S. weighting where global cuts are involved, FY2025 H-1B petition approvals, and estimated workforce denominators.
WARN layoff exposure by state, 2026 YTD
CA, TX, NY, NJ, and WA are major tech/H-1B states discussed in this report — not “largest H-1B populations.”
WARN data is all-industry and state-level. It does not identify visa status and does not capture every layoff.
Seniority context: job-posting pressure by level
This is hiring-market proxy data, not confirmed layoff data by seniority and not H-1B-specific.
Income context for H-1B replacement jobs
For H-1B workers, income matters because a new job generally must meet the applicable prevailing wage for the occupation and work location. After a layoff, this can narrow the set of sponsor-ready replacement jobs.
How LayoffNext estimated H-1B exposure
Method 1 — Aggregate estimate
Estimated H-1B exposure = total 2026 tech layoffs × assumed H-1B share of the tech workforce.
- Total public tracker range: 164K–186K
- Central estimate: approximately 175K
- Assumed H-1B share of tech workforce: central 7%, range 5–10%
- Result: low ~8.2K, central ~12.3K, high ~18.6K
Method 2 — Company-level estimate
For major companies, the report estimates H-1B exposure by combining announced layoffs, U.S. weighting where global cuts are involved, FY2025 H-1B petition approvals, and estimated company workforce denominators.
Initial + continuing H-1B approvals are used as a petition-activity proxy, not a unique-worker count. Continuing approvals may include extensions, amendments, transfers, or repeated filings.
This report does not claim
- An official count of H-1B workers laid off
- That H-1B workers were targeted more or less than other employees
- Confirmed H-1B layoffs by state
- Confirmed H-1B layoffs by seniority level
- Confirmed H-1B layoffs by income band
- Legal or immigration advice
This report does claim
- A directional estimate of H-1B exposure in 2026 tech layoffs
- A transparent methodology using public data
- State, income, and seniority context that helps workers understand risk and planning needs
What H-1B workers should do after a layoff
Save your documents
- I-797 approval notice
- I-94
- Recent pay stubs
- Employment verification letter
- PERM / I-140 documents if applicable
- Severance and benefits documents
Build a sponsor pipeline
- Target H-1B sponsor employers
- Prioritize companies with recent H-1B approvals
- Contact recruiters directly
- Prepare a transfer-ready resume and documents
Evaluate backup options
- H-1B transfer
- Change of status
- B-2 bridge
- F-1 only if a legitimate study plan
- Spouse status if eligible
- Canada / remote / global backup
Decide and act
- File a transfer or change of status before the grace period ends if possible
- Avoid waiting until the final week
- Speak with an immigration attorney for personal advice
Work your deadline with the day-by-day guide built for H-1B workers.
Use the H-1B 60-Day Grace Period GuideImportant disclaimer
Immigration outcomes depend on your specific status, history, and facts, and the rules change. This page is educational only and is not legal advice. Confirm everything with a licensed immigration attorney or official USCIS guidance before acting.
Sources & references
Public sources referenced in the full report, grouped by type. External figures change and trackers update continuously — confirm current numbers with the original source.
Layoff trackers
Immigration / H-1B data
WARN / state layoff data
Labor market / seniority / income
Methodology precedent
Frequently asked questions
Does the government track H-1B layoffs?
No. Public government layoff data does not identify workers by visa status. This report estimates exposure using public layoff trackers and USCIS petition data.
Are H-1B workers more likely to be laid off?
This report does not prove that. It assumes proportionality, meaning H-1B workers are assumed to be laid off at the same rate as coworkers at the same company.
Why does an H-1B layoff matter more?
The employment loss may trigger immigration deadlines. Many H-1B workers need a new sponsor, transfer filing, change of status, or departure plan within the grace period.
What does “estimated H-1B exposure” mean?
It means the estimated number or share of layoffs that may involve H-1B workers under the report’s assumptions. It is not an official count.
Are the state numbers H-1B-specific?
No. State numbers come from WARN notices and are all-industry layoff exposure. They do not identify visa status.
Are the seniority numbers H-1B-specific?
No. Seniority data is job-posting and labor-market context, not confirmed layoffs by visa status or level.
Where can I download the full report?
The full PDF is available on this page and at the direct download link. Enter your email above to open the download and receive a copy of the link.
Download the full report (PDF)
Get the complete methodology, company-level tables, and all charts in one PDF. We'll open the download and email you a copy of the link.
Keep planning your H-1B layoff window
The report shows the numbers. These guides and tools help you act on your own deadline.
Deepak Middha is the founder of LayoffNext and a Chartered Accountant (ICAI, India). A U.S. immigrant with nearly 20 years of experience — and 17 years in hedge fund and private equity administration, including as Vice President of Fund Accounting at NAV Fund Administration Group and Associate Director of Private Equity and Real Estate at SS&C Technologies — he builds free, plain-language layoff tools and guides for employees, H-1B workers, and immigrant families.