The United States is poised to initiate a pilot program for the domestic renewal of specific categories of H-1B visas in December, a move expected to be advantageous for a considerable number of Indian technology professionals, according to a US official. Julie Stufft, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Visa Services, highlighted the persistently high demand for US visas in India and the lengthy wait times.
The domestic visa renewal program, with a focus on India, aims to address this issue. Starting in December, the State Department plans to issue 20,000 visas over three months, primarily targeting Indian nationals already residing in the US.
The pilot program is part of efforts to streamline the visa application process and expedite appointments for Indian travelers, allowing US missions in India to focus on new applicants. While the plan has been in development for some time, it was formally announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit in June.
The proposal, initially mentioned in the joint statement and disclosed by Modi at the Ronald Reagan Centre during his address to the Indian diaspora, has been enthusiastically embraced by the Indian community in the US.
Julie Stufft stated that a federal register notice will soon provide detailed instructions for the pilot program, outlining steps to be taken and eligibility criteria for the first batch of applicants. She emphasized that the visa renewal program is exclusively for work visas and is an existing regulation not used for about 20 years.
The program, commencing with a pilot of 20,000 cases from December to February, is expected to expand to more categories of workers in the United States in 2024. Ajay Jain Bhutoria, an Indian-American community leader and Commissioner to the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, expressed his satisfaction with the implementation of the proposal.
He believes that the relief will benefit over a million H-1B holders, significantly benefiting many Indians. Bhutoria thanked President Biden, the State Department, and immigration sub-committee members, emphasizing his continued commitment to advocating for policy changes in immigration issues. He sees this progress as a step towards inclusivity in society.
