The pilot program allowing up to 20,000 H-1B visa holders to renew their visas in the U.S. will not include their dependents. The H-4 dependents are still required to travel for their visa renewal and are not included in the pilot program for domestic H-1B visa renewal. Businesses are requesting the State Department include dependents when the program is expanded or made permanent.
The pilot program is expected to start in January 2024, following the publication of the program in the Federal Register, as required. The notice will outline eligibility requirements and the process of selection. Selected individuals will send their passports to the State Department. Upon review and approval, the Department will stamp the passport and return it to the H-1B visa holder.
Domestic renewal is not new, but a returning program. Ended in 2004 as the State Department required biometrics information, the program is resuming as a pilot. Requiring H-1B visa holders to travel not only limited their ability to continue to perform their jobs but also introduced a great deal of uncertainty. Backlogs for visa appointments and processing as well as the cost of travel created additional hardship. These issues will continue for H-1B dependents, at this time. The State Department says additional operational and technical requirements limit them from also processing H-4 visa holders in the pilot program.
Many H-4 visa holders are also employed. There are an estimated 90,000 H-4 spouses working in the U.S., with a high percentage of those in STEM fields. These individuals face the same uncertainty and potentially lengthy travel times, impacting their employers and employment. It is the hope of employers and businesses that the domestic visa renewal program will be successful and quickly expand.
If you have questions about renewing a visa or any immigration-related issue, contact us at ILBSG. We work with our clients in their particular situations to ensure they get the right advice.
