For many, a trip abroad to renew a non-immigrant visa can be complicated. It involves the expense of overseas travel, combined with uncertainty over appointment dates, processing times and outcomes. For many visa applicants, the process of applying for or renewing a non-immigrant visa is routine and the outcomes are predictable. For others, the process can be fraught with anxiety and uncertainty. For all visa applicants, the outcome of an application for a U.S. visa can be life affecting and can impact family, employment and education.
For this reason, the announcement by the U.S. Dept. of State that – roughly 20 years after it discontinued the practice – it will roll-out a program to permit the stateside renewal of certain visas for certain applicants. The implementation of this program means that, for eligible participants, they will be able to submit an Application for Non-immigrant Visa, pay the fee and – instead of traveling abroad to their home country or elsewhere in the world – they will be able to send their passport to a designated processing center in the U.S. and, once approved, obtain a newly-issued visa in the passport.
It is important to note that this program is being rolled out on a limited, phased basis. The program will begin on January 29, 2024 and will run for five weeks. During the five week period, the Visa Office of the U.S. Department of State will accept applications from individuals who:
- are seeking to renew an H–1B visa; no other visa classifications are eligible;
- have or had an H–1B visa issued by U.S. consular officials in Canada between January 1, 2020 and April 1, 2023 or by U.S. consular officials in Canada between February 1, 2021 and September 30, 2021;
- are not subject to a “reciprocity fee”
- are eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview
- have submitted a “ten print” in connection with a previous visa application
- never received a “clearance received” annotation
- do not have a visa ineligibility that would require a waiver prior to visa issuance
- have an approved and unexpired Petition for H–1B status
- were most recently admitted to the U.S. in H–1B status
- are currently maintaining H–1B status in the U.S.
- have a period of authorized admission in H–1B status which has not expired; and
- intend to return to the U.S. in H–1B status after a temporary period abroad
For individuals who meet these eligibility requirements, click here to register.
It is too early to say whether the program will be extended or expanded. It is too early to say whether additional countries or additional visa classifications will be included in the future. What is certain is that there will be many more registrations filed during the five week pilot period than there will be visas available. For additional information about this program, contact us.