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H1Bs can switch jobs any time.

"H-1B work-authorization is strictly limited to employment by the sponsoring employer."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H1B_visa

In fact, your H-1B expires ten days after your employment does. Workers on H-1Bs can switch jobs to another sponsor, but it can get tricky. I've told friends with H-1Bs about other sponsoring studios that I could recommend them at... just in case.

"sponsoring employer" can be changed any time by the visa holder applying for 'H1 transfer' with USCIS. Your wikipedia quote is correct but the impact is just that you can't have multiple jobs without multiple H1Bs (one person can have up to 4). Since you can change the sponsoring employer any time, you can change jobs any time.

Since my parent post got voted down, I should probably note that I am on H1B and I've done this myself.

Thanks for the clarification. When you say "you can change the sponsoring employer any time", how complicated is that process? How long does it take?

I am also on H1B. After we get the job offer from the new employer, it takes 2-3 weeks to switch. The employer takes care of the formalities. It also gives us time for the usual 2-week notice to the older employer.

I agree with gopalakrishnans about the time taken. However, it is safer to give notice after the H1B transfer gets approved.

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