The U.S. has launched a trial program for H1B employees, letting them renew their work visas within the country without going back home. Unfortunately, this option doesn’t extend to their spouses.
This is disappointing news because if one spouse gets their visa stamped within the U.S., while the other needs visa stamping, the family still has to deal with the long wait for visa appointments in India. This will disrupt their family travel plans.
Announced earlier this year by the U.S. State Department, the H-1B domestic visa renewal pilot is limited to 20,000 participants, who must send their visas to the State Department and can’t travel outside the U.S. The selection process for the initial 20,000 candidates hasn’t been revealed.
This pilot program is part of the State Department’s plan to shorten wait times for U.S. travel. The program starts with 20,000 cases from December to February and aims to include more worker categories in 2024. A notice with details on steps and eligibility is expected soon.
Currently, the program targets work visas, letting long-term U.S. residents renew without going back home. Including dependents in the program depends on proving its success first.
Stufft highlights that this is a significant change for those living in the U.S., who previously had to leave the country for visa renewal. But spouses might not be too happy with this new development.
