The U.S. Department of State is set to launch a pilot program for domestic H-1B visa renewals in January 2024. This program is designed to provide a new option for H-1B visa holders to renew their visas without leaving the United States. Here are the key details about the program:
- Start Date and Duration: The program will begin on January 29, 2024, and is expected to run until April 1, 2024, or until all application slots are filled, whichever comes first.
- Application Slots: Approximately 4,000 applications will be accepted each week, divided evenly between applicants who received their visas from a U.S. consulate in India and Canada. The dates for application slots are Jan. 29, 2024, and Feb. 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2024.
- Eligibility Criteria: The program is limited to eligible foreign nationals who received an H-1B visa from a U.S. consulate in India between Feb. 1, 2021, and Sept. 30, 2021, or from a U.S. consulate in Canada between Jan. 1, 2020, and April 1, 2023. Additional eligibility criteria include having an approved and unexpired H-1B petition, being currently in valid H-1B status, and not being subject to a reciprocity fee, among others.
- Application Process: Eligible applicants must complete the Form DS-160 online and begin the process at a dedicated State Department domestic renewal website. The required documents include a completed DS-160, a passport-styled photograph, a valid passport, and current forms I-797 and I-94.
- Application Fee: A nonrefundable application fee of $205 is required.
To qualify for the pilot domestic visa renewal program for H1B visas in the United States, applicants must meet specific criteria. Here’s a summary of who can apply and the other conditions:
- H1B Visa Renewal: The applicant must be seeking to renew an H1B visa.
- Prior Visa Issuer: The previous visa’s issuer had to be:
- Mission Canada: A U.S. embassy or a U.S. consulate in Canada, with an issuance date from January 1, 2020, through April 1, 2023.
- Mission India: A U.S. consulate in India, with an issuance date from February 1, 2021, through September 30, 2021.
- Reciprocity Fee: The applicant should not be subject to a nonimmigrant visa issuance fee, commonly known as a “reciprocity fee.” (Note: Citizens of India are not subject to an H1B reciprocity fee.)
- In-Person Interview Waiver: The applicant must be eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview requirement.
- Fingerprint Submission: The applicant must have submitted ten fingerprints to the Department of State in connection with a previous visa application.
- Visa Annotations: The prior visa should not include a “clearance received” annotation.
- Visa Waiver: The applicant does not require a waiver prior to visa issuance.
- Current H1B Status: The applicant must have an approved and unexpired H1B petition, be currently in valid H1B status, and their period of authorized admission in H1B status should not have expired.
- Intention to Reenter: The applicant intends to reenter the United States in H1B status after a temporary period abroad.
- Application Process: Qualified applicants will apply through an online portal. The application process will be detailed on the portal.
- Application Slots and Schedule: There will be about 4,000 application slots released each week, divided between those who received their visas from Mission Canada and Mission India. Once the slots are filled for the week, the portal will be closed until the next release date.
- Required Documents: Basic documents required for the application include a completed DS-160, passport-styled photograph, valid passport, current forms I-797 and I-94, and the standard $205 MRV fee.
Individuals who do not meet the specific criteria set for the pilot domestic visa renewal program for H1B visas are not eligible to participate. This includes:
- H1B Visa Holders with Visas Issued Outside the Specified Time Frame or Locations: Those whose visas were not issued by a U.S. consulate in India between February 1, 2021, and September 30, 2021, or by a U.S. consulate in Canada between January 1, 2020, and April 1, 2023.
- Applicants Subject to a Reciprocity Fee: Individuals who are subject to a nonimmigrant visa issuance fee (reciprocity fee) are not eligible. This fee is based on the applicant’s country of citizenship.
- Applicants Requiring In-Person Interviews: Those who are not eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview requirement.
- Applicants Without Ten Fingerprints Submitted: If the applicant has not submitted ten fingerprints to the Department of State in connection with a previous visa application, they are ineligible.
- Visas with “Clearance Received” Annotation: Applicants whose prior visa includes a “clearance received” annotation.
- Applicants Needing a Visa Waiver: Those who require a waiver before visa issuance.
- Applicants Not in Current Valid H1B Status: Individuals who do not have an approved and unexpired H1B petition, are not currently in valid H1B status, or whose period of authorized admission in H1B status has expired.
- Applicants Without Intent to Reenter in H1B Status: Those who do not intend to reenter the United States in H1B status after a temporary period abroad are not eligible.
- H-4 Dependents: The program is limited solely to the principal H1B worker; H-4 dependents cannot use the pilot program.
For official information from U.S. government sources regarding H1B visas and other visa-related matters, you can visit the following websites:
- U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs:
- This is the official source for all visa-related information, including updates on policies and procedures for H1B visas.
- U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):
- USCIS is responsible for managing U.S. immigration services and benefits. The website provides detailed information about H1B visa requirements, application processes, and the latest updates.
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
- U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India:
- If you are specifically looking for information related to U.S. visa services in India, this site offers relevant details, including how to schedule visa appointments and the documentation required.
- U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India