H1B domestic renewal applications to begin from January 29

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The US Department of State has announced that their pilot program for the domestic renewal of H-1B visas will be accepting applications from January 29, 2024. The final date will be April 1, 2024.

As per the details in the federal register, the programme will initially cover just 20,000 participants. However , only those with visas issued by US Mission in Canada with an issuance date from January 1, 2020, through April 1, 2023; or by US Mission in India with an issuance date of February 1, 2021, through September 30, 2021 can apply for the renewal.

Apart from other criteria mentioned in the register, it also states that dependent H-4 visa holders (eg: spouse and children of the H-1B visa holder) will not qualify for domestic visa renewals under the programme.

“Limiting the pilot to only H-1B principal applicants will also maximize the department’s direct impact on US industry partners, whose H-1B employees may need to travel abroad for work purposes and risk being unable to immediately return if their visa has expired,” the register reads.

Applicants can apply with a fee of $205 through an online portal beginning January 29, 2024. The Department will release,000 application slots will each week, with half for visas issued by Mission Canada, and other for visas issued by Mission India.

Slots will open every week until February 26, 2024. “If, by then, the full 20,000 visas are used, the pilot will close. If not, the program will continue until all the visas are used, or until April 1, 2024, whichever comes first,” the notification states.