H-1B Visa Renewal Pilot Program Launches in the U.S., but Excludes Dependents – Key Details to Know

The United States has initiated a pilot program for the domestic renewal of certain work visas, allowing H-1B employees to renew their visas without leaving the country. However, spouses are excluded from this program. Here are four key points about the H-1B visa renewal pilot:

Earlier this year, the U.S. State Department introduced a limited rollout of the H-1B domestic visa renewal pilot, permitting 20,000 participants to renew their visas.

Participants in the program are required to mail their visas to the State Department and are restricted from traveling outside the U.S.

The selection process for the initial 20,000 candidates has not been disclosed, and the pilot program is part of the State Department’s efforts to reduce wait times for travel to the U.S.

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Julie Stufft expressed excitement about the program and mentioned plans to expand it to more categories of workers in 2024. However, for now, the program is exclusively intended for work visas.

While there is speculation about including dependents in the program, Stufft emphasized the need to establish proof of concept before extending it to a larger group. The pilot program marks a significant change for individuals living in the U.S. who would have previously had to leave the country for visa renewal.

Source: Mint