Now you can renew H-1B visa in US

Indian and Canadian qualified H-1B non immigrant visa applicants can now renew their visas in the US itself without going back to their home countries under a pilot program launched Jan 29.

Under the pilot program which is limited to renewal of visas issued in India and Canada, the Department of State will release a maximum of 20,000 application slots through April 1, 2024,

These include approximately 2,000 slots per week for applicants whose most recent H-1B was issued by US Mission India with an issuance date of Feb 1, 2021, through Sep 30, 2021.

READ: USCIS raises H-1B visa and immigration fees (February 1, 2024)

Another 2,000 slots per week would be released for applicants whose most recent H-1B visa was issued by US Mission Canada with an issuance date of Jan 1, 2020 through April 1, 2023.

Application slots will be released on the following entry period dates: Jan 29; Feb 5; Feb 12; Feb 19 and Feb 26.

Participation in the pilot program is voluntary, according to the State Department announcement. Individuals who do not meet the requirements for participation in the pilot program, or those who choose not to participate in the pilot program, may continue to apply for visa renewal at a US embassy or consulate overseas.

READ: White House asks Congress to revamp outdated H-1B visa program (August 29, 2023)

Applications will be handled on a first-received, first-processed basis until the weekly limit is reached. Applicants who are unable to apply on one application date may reattempt application on any of the remaining application dates during the entry period.

The application period will close when all application slots are filled or on April 1, 2024, whichever comes first.

Applicants will only be able to apply through the pilot program portal during the specified dates.

After you have determined your eligibility for the domestic renewal program, you must fill out your DS-160, the application for a nonimmigrant visa.

READ: 70 Indians sue US for denying H-1B visas over employers’ fraud (August 15, 2023)

Use the online portal to pay the required, non-refundable, non-transferrable Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) application processing fee of $205.00.

Follow the instructions on the portal to mail your passport and other required documents for processing.