US Begins 5-Week H-1B Visas Renewal Drive, Allowing In-Country Applications
Washington: In a significant change after almost two decades, H-1B workers, including Indian nationals, can now apply to renew their visas without leaving the United States. The US Department of State announced a pilot program in June 2023, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, allowing up to 20,000 qualified nonimmigrant workers to domestically renew their H-1B visas.
During PM Modi’s visit to the US, he revealed at an Indian American community event in Washington that H-1B visa renewal stamping was being conducted within the US. The joint statement released by the White House following the visit emphasized the commitment of both nations to streamline visa processes and improve the lives of temporary visa holders.
Over the next five weeks, a total of 20,000 participants will be accepted for the pilot program, with an equal split between workers who recently received their H-1B visas at consulates in India and Canada. The State Department released a website ahead of the pilot’s launch, allowing visa holders to confirm their eligibility. Although the visa application form could be filled out on the agency’s website last week, submission was only possible starting from Monday.
The initiative, known as the Visa Stamping initiative, aims to make the visa process more efficient and less burdensome for legal immigrants. It eliminates the need for applicants to travel abroad for visa renewal. Ajay Bhutoria, a prominent advocate for immigration issues, expressed his enthusiasm for this positive change, believing it will benefit thousands of individuals invited to work in the US and contribute to the nation’s companies and economy.
However, the pilot program is currently limited to H-1B workers who meet the criteria outlined in December. It excludes dependent visa holders, such as spouses and children on H-4 visas, which has been a source of frustration for many workers.
The Department of State has indicated that the initial launch of this stateside visa renewal process will be a limited pilot program to test its operationality. If successful, the department aims to expand the program’s eligibility to other visa categories and individuals, as per their strong desire.
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