As Modi tours White House, US plans to introduce in-country renewable for H-1B visa

Last year, the United States issued a record-breaking 125,000 visas to Indian students, positioning them to become the largest foreign student community in the country.

• Shubham
• 22 June, 2023

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By: Shubham Ghosh

IN a key decision, the US plans to introduce renewable H-1B visas for in-country applicants, aiming to alleviate the burden of traveling overseas for visa renewals for thousands of Indian professionals residing in its soil. The announcement was made as part of the people-to-people initiative ahead of the bilateral meeting between prime minister Narendra Modi, who is currently on a state visit to Washington DC, and president Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday (22), a senior official of the Biden administration said.

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialised occupations requiring technical or theoretical expertise. Many technology companies rely on this visa to hire a substantial number of employees from countries such as India and China each year.

Last year, the United States issued a record-breaking 125,000 visas to Indian students, positioning them to become the largest foreign student community in the country, with a remarkable 20 per cent increase in numbers, the official added.

The US state department has plans to launch a pilot programme later this year to adjudicate domestic renewals of certain petition-based temporary work visas, including those for Indian nationals. The goal is to expand this initiative to encompass a broader pool of H-1 and L visa holders, with other eligible categories being considered for inclusion.

This decision holds numerous benefits for individuals in both India and the United States, as well as for businesses, the official said.

Previously, H-1B visa holders had to leave the US and return to their home countries to obtain visa stamping for renewal, causing inconvenience and disruptions, especially considering the lengthy visa wait times exceeding 800 days or more than two years.

By allowing the renewal process to take place within the US, this new initiative will simplify the procedure for H-1B visa holders. Instead of needing restamping at a US consulate, they will be able to renew their visas domestically, avoiding the necessity of international travel.

(With agency inputs)