In-U.S. Visa Renewal Pilot Program
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has launched a Stateside Visa Renewal Pilot Program that will run from January 29, 2024 to April 1, 2024. Participation is limited only to certain H-1B applicants who previously received H-1B stamps in Canada or India during specified periods. (H-4 dependents are excluded from the pilot.) To participate, the applicant must:
• Have a prior H-1B visa issued by a U.S. Consulate in Canada from 1/1/20 through 4/1/23, or by a U.S. Consulate in India from 2/1/21 through 9/30/21, that does not have a “clearance received” annotation;
• Not be subject to a nonimmigrant visa reciprocity fee;
• Be eligible for an in-person interview waiver;
• Have submitted ten fingerprints to DOS in connection with the prior visa application;
• Not require an ineligibility waiver; and
• Have an approved and unexpired H-1B petition, were most recently admitted to the U.S. in H-1B status, and be in valid H-1B status.
DOS will begin accepting online H-1B visa renewals in the pilot on January 29, 2024 at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/employment/domestic-renewal.html. Every Monday, through February 26, 2024, 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 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 DOS makes the next slots available.
Applications will be considered in the order received. No updates on the application will be provided by DOS other than returning of the application, or issuance or refusal of the visa. If refused, the applicant may reapply by filing a new visa application at a consular post abroad with a new fee. Average processing time is expected to be 6-8 weeks from the time the passport and documents are received by DOS. Passports and documents will be returned to the applicant via USPS or a courier service. Expedited processing is not available; if an applicant needs their passport back while the application is processing, they must withdraw the application through the online portal and request return of the passport. In such a case, the application will be considered refused, though DOS says this type of refusal will not prejudice any future application.
DOS could issue a request for additional information for the application. If a response is provided by April 15, 2024, DOS will overcome the INA 221(g) refusal and issue the visa. After May 1, 2024, the visa will be refused.
As a reminder, the visa issuance is NOT a grant of nonimmigrant status and does not constitute an extension of nonimmigrant visa status or an admission to the United States. Rather, a visa only permits an applicant to ask for admission to the U.S. after overseas travel.