The United States is gearing up to launch a pilot program in December focused on the in-country renewal of specific categories of H-1B visas. This initiative is expected to bring considerable advantages to numerous Indian technology professionals, according to information provided by US officials.
The decision to roll out this program comes on the heels of the White House’s announcement during the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June. Julie Stufft, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Visa Services, underscored in an interview with news agency PTI the ongoing high demand for US visas in India. She expressed concerns about prolonged wait times—six, eight, and 12 months—that do not align with their perspective on India.
Commencing in December, the State Department aims to issue 20,000 visas over a three-month period, primarily targeting Indian nationals already residing in the US. This move is poised to significantly benefit India, given its standing as the largest skilled group of workers in the United States.
The program’s primary goal is to eliminate the need for individuals to travel back to India or elsewhere for visa renewal appointments. This, in turn, allows US missions in India to prioritize new applicants. Although the State Department has been actively developing the pilot program for some time, the formal announcement took place during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit. The plan, initially mentioned in the joint statement and later disclosed by PM Modi during his address to the Indian diaspora at the Ronald Reagan Centre, has received positive feedback from the Indian community in the US.
Julie Stufft explained that a federal register notice, serving as the first official communication of the program, will be released shortly. This notice will delineate the necessary steps, eligibility criteria for the first tranche of applications, and provide detailed instructions. It’s crucial to note that the domestic visa renewal program specifically applies to work visas.
“This is an existing regulation that was allowed that we just have not used in about 20 years. These are work visas. It is intended for people who are living long-term in the US but want to renew their visa without going back overseas,” stated Julie Stufft.
Characterizing it as a “huge undertaking,” she expressed enthusiasm about the pilot program, set to commence with 20,000 cases in December, January, and February. The State Department is eager to expand the program to include more categories of workers residing in the United States throughout 2024.
Indian-American community leader Ajay Jain Bhutoria hailed the State Department’s move as “significant.” In his capacity as the commissioner to the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, Bhutoria presented a proposal, accepted and recommended by US President Joe Biden.
“I am happy to see the recommendation I presented on behalf of immigration subcommittees on the Commission for H-1B visa stamping in the USA finally being implemented,” Bhutoria remarked. He highlighted that this relief will ultimately benefit over one million H-1B holders, with a substantial number being Indians.
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