The U.S. Department of State announced programs to address ongoing wait times for visa processing. Up to 20,000 H-1B holders will have the ability to renew their visas in the United States in the coming months. The domestic visa renewal program is estimated to begin as soon as January 2024. In addition, an extension of the interview waiver program for qualifying temporary visas is being developed. Interview waivers would be at the discretion of consular offices. A potential digital visa for travel to the U.S. is also being considered.

Domestic H-1B Renewal

The domestic H-1B renewal pilot program is currently proposed for up to 20,000 individuals. Qualifying H-1B visa holders will simply mail their visas to the State Department and will not have to travel outside the U.S. to complete visa stamping. Publication of a Federal Register notice is expected in December 2023 that will outline details of the program. This pilot program is meant to provide learning prior to potential expansion.

The pilot will be the first time in nearly 20 years domestic visa renewal will be offered. Currently, if a visa requires a stamp at an embassy or consulate abroad, the individual must travel to that location. With high backlogs for appointments, the individual faces uncertainty as to when the stamp can be completed. Further, return travel to the U.S. is also seeing backlogs from some locations. This is particularly true in India, which is the primary source of H-1B workers. These delays are challenging both for the visa holder and their employer.

Many questions remain on the program, with answers anticipated in the Federal Register publication. Among them is how initial pilot program participants will be chosen.

Interview Waivers

The interview waiver program has greatly improved the efficiency of visa application processing. The original visa waiver program was introduced during the pandemic. The Biden administration repeatedly extended the program.

The current interview waiver program is expiring at the end of December 2023. However, several organizations are pushing for an additional renewal. To extend the waiver, the Department of Homeland Security and the DOS must come to an agreement. The organizations are discussing the best way forward, considering what is working at U.S. ports of entry, and what isn’t. Remote interviews are not currently being considered, prioritizing waivers and domestic visa renewal instead.

Roughly half of all temporary visas issued in 2022 did not include an in-person interview.

These two programs also provide relief to consular staff. With limited resources on cases that need more attention, reducing the time required for H-1B stamping and in-person interviews gives the staff the time they need.

The average wait time for a visa appointment for travel to the U.S. is 130 days. In 2022, the wait time was 200 days. However, it’s important to note that wait times vary by location. Wait times in Columbia at the Bogota location are over 600 days. An acceptable wait time, per the DOS, is closer to 90 days.

If you have questions about any U.S. immigration-related issue, contact us at ILBSG. We actively monitor ongoing updates to U.S. immigration policy to ensure our clients get the right advice for their particular situations.

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