Can I take unpaid leave on H-1B?
Employer
January 01, 2026
1,791 views
Answer
Unpaid leave on H-1B is generally not allowed:
- H-1B requires full-time employment and payment of prevailing wage
- Extended unpaid leave may violate H-1B requirements
- Short leaves (vacation, sick leave) with pay are fine
- FMLA leave (if eligible) may be acceptable
Alternatives: Use paid time off, discuss with employer about options, consider part-time H-1B if needed long-term.
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