On October 17, 2023, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) sent a Federal Register notice to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, which offers further details regarding an upcoming pilot initiative that will enable specific H-1B visa holders to secure a travel visa within the United States, eliminating the need to depart the country for visa renewal.

Background 

On June 22, 2023, the White House released a ‘Joint Statement from the United States and India,’ outlining a pilot program that permits the stamping of US visas within the United States. Domestic visa renewals have been unavailable since 2004, mainly due to security-related requirements, particularly the acquisition of biometric data. Last year, the State Department hinted at the possibility of reintroducing domestic renewals but offered limited information.

Details of the Program 

Preliminary information related to the program has been disclosed, and it comprises the following key points:

• • Commencement is scheduled for early 2024.
• • Participation is exclusively open to H-1B principal applicants.
• • Eligibility is restricted to citizens of countries not subject to reciprocity fees, including India.
• • Eligibility criteria will be akin to the interview-waiver program.
• • Initially, the program will accommodate 20,000 applicants.
• • Participation in the program is entirely voluntary.

Conclusion 

This program marks the initial phase of a significantly broader visa renewal initiative that will encompass a wider array of visa categories and extend eligibility to more applicants. DOS is expected to introduce a more streamlined and secure approach for visa renewals, providing an attractive alternative to mandatory international travel. We will continue to provide updates on this important topic as they become available.