A pilot program allowing H-1B visa holders to renew their visas within the U.S. without leaving the country has passed a review by the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. The program, initially accommodating 20,000 H-1B specialty occupation workers, is set to commence in January. While the full eligibility criteria and operational details will be disclosed in a notice to be published in the Federal Register, the pilot marks a significant shift in visa renewal procedures. Previously, H-1B holders had to travel outside the U.S. for visa renewal, facing uncertain wait times. The move is expected to benefit Indian professionals, who constitute a substantial portion of H-1B visa holders. The program aims to streamline the renewal process and address visa backlogs that have led to increased uncertainties for workers and employers, particularly from countries like India.
Key Points:
1. A pilot program allowing H-1B visa holders to renew visas within the US has cleared the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs review.
2. The program will initially cover 20,000 H-1B specialty occupation workers and is set to begin in January 2024.
3. The pilot allows H-1B holders to renew their visas by mailing them to the State Department, eliminating the need to travel outside the US and face uncertain wait times for consular appointments.
4. The details of eligibility and operation will be revealed when the notice is published in the Federal Register.
5. The move is expected to benefit Indian professionals, who constitute a significant portion of H-1B visa holders.
6. Visa wait times, particularly for Indian workers, have been a challenge, and the pilot aims to simplify the renewal process.
7. The average wait time for a visa appointment fell to 130 days last year, down from 200 days in fiscal year 2022.
8. The pilot program was announced during the state visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US in June 2023.
9. An estimated 75% of H-1B visas go to workers from India, employed by major US tech companies.
10. The move is seen as a step towards streamlining the visa renewal process and reducing uncertainty for H-1B workers and their employers.
(With Agency Inputs)
Read also| RBI's Penalties on Banks and NBFCs Total Rs 40.39 Crore for 2022-23
