Indian Tech Professionals on H-1B Visas to Benefit from US Pilot Program
The United States is set to launch a pilot program for the domestic renewal of specific categories of H-1B visas, providing relief for a large number of Indian technology professionals. Julie Stufft, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Visa Services, stated that the demand for US visas in India remains high, and the long wait times of six, eight, or 12 months are not ideal. The domestic visa renewal program will issue 20,000 visas to foreign nationals within the country over three months starting in December, with a focus on Indian nationals. This move aims to expedite the appointment process and benefit the largest skilled group of workers in the United States. The State Department’s initiative follows the formal announcement of the plan during the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June. The federal register notice detailing the program and eligibility criteria is expected soon. The pilot program will begin with a small group of cases, and expansion is planned for 2024.
Source: MSN
