State Department Announces Stateside H-1B Visa Renewal Pilot Program: January 29-April 1, 2024

December 21, 2023

After much anticipation, today the Department of State published a Federal Registration notice announcing details of the stateside visa renewal pilot  that will run between January 29, 2024 and April 1, 2024.  

The pilot aims to assess the agency's technical and operational capabilities to resume domestic visa renewals, focusing on specific nonimmigrant visa categories and examining the impact on global visa wait times.

Key Highlights Include:

Eligibility to Participate: Participation is voluntary and limited to principal H-1B applicants who:

• Are seeking to renew an H-1B visa during the pilot phase between January 29, 2024, and April 1, 2024
• Are renewing a prior H-1B visa issued by Mission Canada with an issuance date from January 1, 2020, through April 1, 2023, or by Mission India with an issuance date from February 1, 2021, through September 30, 2021;                                                                                      
• Are not subject to a nonimmigrant visa issuance (reciprocity) fee;
• Are eligible for an in-person interview waiver (For India eligibility see: https://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/en/renew-visa#renew-my-visa);
• Have submitted ten fingerprints to DOS in connection with the prior visa application;
• Have a prior visa that does not include a “clearance received” annotation;
• Does not have a visa ineligibility that would require waiver prior to visa issuance;
• Have an approved and unexpired H-1B petition;
• Were most recently admitted to the US in H-1B status;
• Are currently maintaining H-1B status in the US;
• Have an unexpired period of authorized admission in H-1B; and
• Intend to reenter the US in H-1B status after a temporary period abroad.

Application Period:

DOS will begin accepting online applications for this pilot beginning on January 29, 2024 via a rolling series of application slots until all slots are filled or April 1, 2024, whichever is sooner.  Each week, DOS will release approximately 2,000 application slots for those whose most recent H-1B visa was issued by Mission Canada and approximately 2,000 application slots for those whose most recent H-1B visa was issued by Mission India. Once the weekly limits are reached for each mission the online application portal will be locked until the next date makes the next group available. The application process will close when all slots are filled, or on April 1, 2024, whichever is sooner.

The dates of release will be as follows:

• January 29, 2024
• February 5, 2024
• February 12, 2024
• February 19, 2024
• February 26, 2024

Application Process:

Eligible applications will be submitted via https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/employment/domestic-renewal.html

The application process includes completing an electronic Form DS-160, paying a non-refundable Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) fee, and submitting required documents via the U.S. Postal Service or other courier service.

Applications will be processed in the order received, and applicants can track their application status through the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC).  The DOS anticipates an average processing time of 6-8 weeks, aiming to complete processing by May 1, 2024.

No requests for expedited processing will be accepted, although applicants can withdraw their applications for urgent travel.

Ineligible or incomplete applications may result in refusals under INA 221(g) and may necessitate reapplying at a consulate abroad.

 

Hopefully, success with the pilot will lead to its extended and expanded use. We will continue to report any developments on our website.