Pilot Program for Domestic Visa Renewal
Pilot Program for Domestic Renewal of H-1B (Specialty Occupation) Nonimmigrant Visas in the United States
The Department of State is conducting a pilot program to resume domestic visa renewals in the United States, without an interview, for qualified H-1B nonimmigrant visa applicants who meet certain requirements. The Department will accept applications from January 29, 2024, through April 1, 2024, or until the maximum number of applications (10,000) for the pilot is reached. For additional information please visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/employment/domestic-renewal.html
Requirements to qualify under this pilot program:
- Visa applicant is renewing a prior H-1B visa issued by Mission Canada with an issuance date from January 1, 2020, through April 1, 2023. During the pilot program, the Department of State will NOT process other visa classes, including H-4 visas (i.e., dependents of the H-1B principal applicant).
- Visa applicant is not subject to a nonimmigrant visa issuance fee (Note: this is commonly referred to as a “reciprocity fee”);
- Visa applicant is eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview requirement;
- Visa applicant submitted ten fingerprints to the Department in connection with a previous visa application;
- Visa applicant’s prior visa does not include a “clearance received” annotation;
- Visa applicant does not have a visa ineligibility that would require a waiver prior to visa issuance;
- Visa applicant has an approved and unexpired H-1B petition;
- Visa applicant was most recently admitted to the United States in H-1B status;
- Visa applicant is currently maintaining H-1B status in the United States;
- Period of authorized admission for visa applicant in H-1B status has not expired; and the visa applicant intends to reenter the United States in H-1B status after a temporary period abroad.