WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — The White House has given the go-ahead to a pilot program facilitating the domestic renewal of H-1B visas, bringing relief to thousands of Indian technology professionals already in the U.S. The program, cleared by the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, is set to launch in January and will initially include 20,000 participants. This move follows the State Department’s announcement last month and marks a crucial step in addressing the prolonged visa renewal process for H-1B workers.
Under the pilot program, qualified H-1B visa holders can renew their visas without the need to leave the U.S. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs’ approval on December 15 was the final regulatory hurdle before the official publication of the program’s details in the Federal Register.
The H-1B visa is crucial for U.S. tech companies, enabling them to employ foreign workers with specialized skills. The pilot program aims to alleviate the burden on H-1B workers who, until now, were required to secure appointments at U.S. embassies or consular offices for visa stamps after traveling abroad.
This reform comes at a time when high wait times for visa services in countries like India, a significant source of H-1B workers, have created uncertainties for both workers and their employers. The program is expected to streamline the renewal process and reduce the wait times for consular services.
The State Department, responsible for implementing the pilot, will release full details of eligibility and operation when a notice is published in the Federal Register. As the pilot program becomes operational, it is poised to benefit Indian nationals, given that they constitute a substantial portion of the skilled workforce in the U.S.
