Up to 20,000 qualified nonimmigrant workers, including Indian nationals, can begin applying to renew their visas without leaving the United States. After nearly two decades, this marked a significant change when applicants had to travel abroad to apply for their H-1B specialty occupation visas. With the new in-country renewal process, workers can continue their employment and avoid potential disruptions to company business while waiting for the visa stamp to be approved.
The State Department will accept up to 4,000 H-1B renewals each week for five weeks, starting January 29. Visa holders who wish to participate can file online on the agency’s dedicated domestic renewal website. To be eligible, the applicant must have been most recently admitted to the United States in H-1B status and be currently maintaining that status. The program also requires the participant to be “willing to submit a passport to obtain an in-country visa.”
Those wishing to apply for a domestic H-1B visa renewal must have a valid, unexpired travel document and be prepared to pay a $160 processing fee. Once the application is submitted, the Department of State will remove or paste over the existing visa foil stamp in the passport and return the passport to the individual. The visa will be valid for one year, and a worker who wishes to remain in the United States beyond that time may extend their status by filing an H-1B extension petition with the Department of Labor.
In addition to the limited domestic visa renewal option, the State Department has also announced other steps to cut backlogs further. This includes waivers of interview requirements for specific visa categories and a move to paperless or digital visas for travelers entering the United States.
Advocates have welcomed the development to relieve pressure on embassies and consulates worldwide that have seen their workloads significantly increase during the pandemic. The State Department has indicated that it will analyze the impact of this limited pilot and consider further expansions to its in-country visa renewal options for other categories of immigrants and individuals.
H-1B workers, representing many U.S. workforce, can be critical to several industries, especially technology companies. These employers must ensure their employees have the appropriate visas to work in the United States. Previously, such workers would have been required to travel outside the country to have their visa stamped at a consulate or embassy. The resulting backlogs, particularly prevalent in countries like India, where many of these workers originate, were often frustrating for employees and employers.
With the launch of this new option, the United States is demonstrating its commitment to working with businesses in ways that reduce red tape and uncertainty for their employees. However, employers must carefully evaluate their employees’ planned travel and reschedule trips where possible to ensure the employee has the proper visa documentation.
