H-1B visa
Expansion
H-1B workers, including Indian citizens, can start applying to renew their visas without leaving the US. The US has launched a five-week pilot program to renew H-1B visas domestically. This big change has happened after almost two decades.
This pilot renewal program, launched on January 29, will run until April 1. Up to 20,000 eligible nonimmigrant workers can renew their H-1B visas domestically during this period. The US State Department made this announcement during PM Narendra Modi’s US visit in June 2023. During the visit, PM Modi said at an Indian-American community event in Washington that H-1B visa renewal stamping is being conducted in the US. This was also mentioned in the joint statement issued by the White House after the visit.
This reflects the commitment of both countries to streamline visa processes and facilitate the lives of temporary visa holders. A total of 20,000 participants will be accepted for pilot visas over the next five weeks. Ahead of the launch of the pilot, the Ministry of External Affairs allowed visa holders to confirm their eligibility. The effort aims to streamline and improve the visa process for legal immigrants, making it more efficient and less cumbersome. Applicants will now be able to avoid going to their country to apply.
H-4 visa not included in application
Currently, the initiative is limited only to H-1B workers who meet the criteria outlined in December. This does not include dependent visa holders such as spouses and children on H-4 visas. However, in future it can be applied to other visas also. However, in addition to this initiative, other important immigration reform efforts are also underway, including reducing the green card backlog.