US pilot program H-1B visa renewals, promises benefits for Indian professionals

the US is launching a domestic visa renewal program, focusing primarily on India, with the pilot set to commence in December

PRAVASISAMWAD.COM

The United States is gearing up to initiate a pilot program for the domestic renewal of select categories of H-1B visas, a development that holds promise for a substantial number of Indian technology professionals, according to a statement by Julie Stufft, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Visa Services.

In an interview with PTI, Stufft acknowledged the high demand for U.S. visas in India and emphasized the need for swift visa processing. To address this, the U.S. is launching a domestic visa renewal program, focusing primarily on India, with the pilot set to commence in December.

The State Department plans to issue 20,000 visas over a three-month period, starting with the first group, predominantly comprising Indian nationals residing in the U.S. The aim is to streamline the renewal process, preventing individuals from having to travel back to India or elsewhere for visa appointments. This initiative will allow U.S. missions in India to focus more on processing new visa applications.

Stufft explained that the domestic visa renewal program is exclusively designed for work visas and is based on an existing regulation that hasn’t been utilized for approximately 20 years. The program intends to cater to individuals living long-term in the U.S. who seek to renew their visas without the necessity of traveling overseas.

Indian-American community leader Ajay Jain Bhutoria hailed the move as significant progress, relieving legal immigrants of burdens and reflecting a step towards a more inclusive society

While the State Department has been working on this pilot program for some time, it was officially announced during Prime Minister Modi’s visit. The program has garnered positive reactions from the Indian community in the U.S., with expectations of reducing wait times and simplifying the visa renewal process.

Responding to queries, Stufft stated that a federal register notice would soon provide details on the steps to be taken, eligibility criteria for the initial tranche, and other instructions. The process involves visas being processed within the United States, eliminating the need for applicants to travel to other countries for renewal.

Describing the initiative as a “huge undertaking,” Stufft expressed excitement about starting small with the pilot and gradually expanding to include more categories of workers throughout 2024. Indian-American community leader Ajay Jain Bhutoria hailed the move as significant progress, relieving legal immigrants of burdens and reflecting a step towards a more inclusive society.

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