The U.S. Department of State is expected to launch a pilot program to resume stateside H-1B visa renewal early in 2024.
On October 17, 2023, the State Department sent the proposed Pilot Program to Resume Renewal of H-1B Nonimmigrant Visas in the United States for Certain Qualified Noncitizens to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs for final review. Once published, eligibility criteria for participation in the pilot program will be specified.
While precise details are not yet known, we expect the pilot program will:
- Begin in early 2024;
- Be limited to H-1B principals only;
- Be limited to nationals of countries that are not subject to reciprocity fees;
- India will be one of the eligible countries to participate in the pilot program;
- Have eligibility requirements like those for participation in the interview waiver program; and
- Be available for 20,000 applicants.
Participation will be voluntary.
The limited pilot program is intended to test the operationality of the stateside renewal process. The program is expected to expand after any operational issues are resolved.
The return of stateside visa renewal is a welcome step forward in reducing consular delays and providing foreign citizens with greater certainty and flexibility for international travel.
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