Company froze hiring after final interview, how long can this last?

Hey everyone,

I wanted to share my current situation and ask if anyone has been through something similar.

Earlier this year I was working at a company that required me to travel almost twice a week. It took a big toll on my physical and mental health, so even though things were going well career wise, I decided it was time to quit.

Soon after, I started interviewing and got in touch with Company A (I won’t use real names). Everything about it felt like my dream job — great team, exciting product, and the perfect role for me. I went through all the interview rounds, including one with the entire team. Even my final call with the hiring manager and area supervisor lasted over an hour instead of the planned 45 minutes. I was told I was the ideal candidate and that the offer was being prepared.

Because of that and because my health was worsening due to the travel and a recent surgery, I decided to leave my old job. Then suddenly, HR reached out saying they had entered a hiring freeze after Company A acquired another company. They assured me I was their top priority and that they’d reach out as soon as the position reopened.

This happened in early to mid October. I currently have enough savings to cover my minimum bills until December. I know quitting before having the offer in hand wasn’t ideal, but the offer we discussed would have been a big increase and seemed certain.

This past Saturday, I noticed they posted similar roles but under a different team or department.

So my questions are:

How long do hiring freezes usually last in cases like this, especially after an acquisition?

Is it worth waiting, or should I move on completely?

Thanks for reading, any advice or shared experiences would mean a lot.