The United States has announced the limits and procedures for its much-anticipated pilot programme to renew H-1B nonimmigrant visas. Starting January 29, 2024, individuals can apply at the dedicated State Department web address.
Limited to 20,000 applicants, eligibility extends to those with H-1B visas issued within specific dates at US consulates in Canada and India. Notably, the pilot will not include the dependents of H-1B professionals, only principal visa holders. “The Department is limiting the scope of the pilot to applicants who were previously issued visas within specified dates by Missions Canada or India to properly assess the performance and capabilities of contractors who manage the majority of the Department’s worldwide visa processing,” the US Federal Register notice read.
“The population of visa applicants in India and Canada is sufficiently representative of the global population and visa issuances during the referenced periods provide enough cases to make the pilot results meaningful, without overwhelming available resources. Additionally, the Department is limiting the scope of the pilot to include only H-1B applicants,” it added.
Who is Eligible?
In its Federal Register notice, the US State Department listed 12 limitations on participating in the visa renewal pilot programme. One of the significant limitations read, “Prior H-1B visa that is being renewed was issued by Mission Canada with an issuance date from January 1, 2020, through April 1, 2023; or by Mission India with an issuance date of February 1, 2021, through September 30, 2021.”
Applicants also need an approved, unexpired H-1B petition, active status, and intent to return to the US after a temporary stay abroad. They must not be subject to a reciprocity fee, must have submitted fingerprints in the previous visa application, and their current visa should lack “clearance received” annotation or visa ineligibility.
Procedures for Participation
The pilot, running until April 1, 2024, or when slots are filled, will accept applications on the State Department website. “In order to control the number of applications received, the Department will, each week, release approximately 2,000 application slots for applicants whose most recent H-1B visas were issued by Mission Canada, and approximately 2,000 application slots for those whose most recent H-1B visas were issued by Mission India (approximately 4,000 total each week) on the following dates: January 29, February 5, February 12, February 19, February 26,” the notice read.
“Every application received will be counted against an approximate 2,000 maximum weekly limit for each participating Mission. Once the limit is reached, the online portal will be locked until the next tranche of slots are released for each participating Mission group on the next application date,” it added.
Documents Required
- Each applicant for a domestic H-1B visa renewal must submit the following documentation:
- A properly completed and electronically filed DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application.
- One photograph (taken within the last six months), which meets the specifications at: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html.
- A passport valid for travel to the United States, which is valid for at least six months beyond the visa application date, and contains a blank, unmarked page for placement of a visa foil.
- The original or a copy of the applicant’s current Form I-797, Notice of Action. • The original or a copy of the applicant’s Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record (available at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home or on the Form I-797).
Background
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Tech firms depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees from countries like India. The pilot comes months after the White House announced the plan during the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June. Under the pilot cleared by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) review on December 15, the qualified H-1B visa applicants will not have to travel abroad to renew the work visa.
Earlier in November, Julie Stufft, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Visa Services told PTI, “In India, the demand (for US visas) is still very high. The wait time of six, eight and 12 months is not what we need and (it is) not indicative of how we view India.” “We want to make sure that Indian travellers can get appointments as quickly as possible. One way we are doing that is through the domestic visa renewal programme, which is focused very much on India. We are piloting that,” she said.
(With agency inputs)
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