June 22, 2023
The program will allow Indian and other foreign workers on H-1B visas to renew their visas within the U.S. without needing to travel abroad
Indian citizens constitute the majority of H-1B visa holders
Efforts are underway to address the backlog of visa applications at U.S. embassies in India
The pilot program may also cover workers on L-1 visas, which are available for intracompany transfers to positions in the United States
The US government is expected to announce a pilot program allowing a limited number of Indian and other foreign workers on H-1B visas to renew their visas within the US without needing to travel abroad, according to media reports. The program will make it easier for Indians to work and live in the US.
Indian citizens constitute the majority of H-1B visa holders, accounting for 73% of the nearly 442,000 H-1B workers in FY22. Recognizing the value of mobility between the two nations, US officials aim to approach this issue in a multifaceted manner and have been actively seeking innovative solutions to change visa policies.
US officials plan to initiate the pilot program with a limited number of cases, with plans to scale up the initiative over the next one to two years. The details of the program are subject to change until an official announcement is made.
Every year, the U.S. government offers 65,000 H-1B visas for skilled foreign workers, with an additional 20,000 visas for workers with advanced degrees. These visas are valid for three years and can be renewed for an additional three years. Allowing some temporary foreign workers to renew their visas within the U.S. would free up resources for visa interviews at consulates abroad. The pilot program may also cover workers on L-1 visas, which are available for intracompany transfers to positions in the United States.
In addition to the pilot program, efforts are underway to address the backlog of visa applications at U.S. embassies in India.
Source: Economic Times