How should I transition my finances when I switch from an F-1 student visa to an H-1B?

The big shift is from "surviving" to "building." First, your tax status often changes, F-1 students are usually nonresident aliens, but on H-1B you typically become a resident alien who's taxed on worldwide income and uses the standard Form 1040. Second, you now have real earned income, so start capturing your employer's 401(k) match, build an emergency fund of 3–6 months of expenses, and consider opening a Roth IRA. Third, your visa is tied to your job, so cash reserves matter more, an H-1B layoff starts a 60-day clock. Update your tax withholding (Form W-4), and keep building U.S. credit. Treat the first H-1B year as the year you set up your long-term system. See wealthserene.com/assessments/immigrant-readiness.