Pilot Program to Resume Domestic Visa Renewal (Applying for an H-1B visa stamp in the United States)

From January 29 to April 1, 2024, the Department of State will run a pilot program to resume domestic visa renewal for H-1B applicants who are renewing an H-1B visa that was issued by:   

• Mission Canada with an issuance date from January 1, 2020, through April 1, 2023; or
•  Mission India with an issuance date of February 1, 2021, through September 30, 2021;
• ... and who meet all other additional conditions specified by the pilot program notice. H-1B visa holders whose visas were issued in countries other than Canada or India or issued in those countries outside the specified issuance dates are not eligible to participate in the pilot program. H-4 dependents are likewise not eligible to participate in the pilot.

A Federal Register notice to be published on December 21, 2023 "describes the requirements for participation in the pilot and provides information on how those falling within the bounds of the pilot program may apply for domestic visa renewal." A public inspection version of the notice is available now for review.

Summary of the Pilot Program

Dates: The pilot program will accept applications from January 29 to April 1, 2024. See the US State Department's website for more information.

Applications: Applicants who meet the requirements may choose to participate during the application window by applying online during the pilot period.

Eligibility: "Participation in this pilot will be limited to applicants who(se):

• Are seeking to renew an H-1B visa; during the pilot phase, the Department will not process any other visa classifications;
• Prior H-1B visa that is being renewed was issued by Mission Canada with an issuance date from January 1, 2020, through April 1, 2023; or by Mission India with an issuance date of February 1, 2021, through September 30, 2021;
• Are not subject to a nonimmigrant visa issuance fee (Note: this is commonly referred to as a “reciprocity fee”);
• Are eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview requirement;
• Have submitted ten fingerprints to the Department in connection with a previous visa application;
•  Prior visa does not include a “clearance received” annotation;
•   Do not have a visa ineligibility that would require a waiver prior to visa issuance;
•    Have an approved and unexpired H-1B petition;
•   Were most recently admitted to the United States in H-1B status;
•   Are currently maintaining H-1B status in the United States;
•   Period of authorized admission in H-1B status has not expired; and
•   Intend to reenter the United States in H-1B status after a temporary period abroad."

"Applicants who do not meet the requirements for domestic adjudication as published in this notice, including eligibility for a waiver of the in-person interview requirement, are not eligible to apply for, nor be issued a visa domestically. Fees will not be refunded and these applicants must submit a new application, pay the associated fee, and apply overseas where they have a residence or are physically present if they wish to pursue a new visa. Participation in the pilot is voluntary. Individuals who do not wish to participate in this pilot may continue to apply overseas at a U.S. embassy or consulate where they have a residence or are physically present."

ISSS will send out any additional information that we receive regarding this new program.