There is positive news for professionals from other countries working in the US. They can now renew their H-1B visas without leaving the US.
This change will benefit millions of Indian professionals working in various fields.
About a year ago, the US State Department tested this process in a pilot project with 20,000 eligible participants.
The Change in Visa Renewal Process
Previously, applicants had to spend a lot of money traveling back to their home country for visa renewal.
They also had to wait a long time for a visa appointment, which caused delays and wasted time.
The pilot project was successful, and now applicants do not need to go back to their country for H-1B visa renewal.
This new solution addresses the concerns of many professionals, especially from India.
The US State Department’s Announcement
The US State Department confirmed that many Indian professionals were able to renew their visas without leaving the US during the pilot project.
This program made the renewal process easier for thousands of applicants. The State Department is now working on creating a formal US-based visa renewal program by 2025.
Although this new process has been confirmed for this year, an official start date has not been announced yet.
Support for the Program
This change happens amid debates over the H-1B visa program. Some far-right groups have urged President Donald Trump to end the program, arguing that it takes away American jobs.
However, Trump and supporters like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy argue that the US needs the best global talent.
They believe that H-1B visas help the US remain competitive in areas like technology, research, and healthcare.
Indian Professionals and Visa Applications
India has the largest number of H-1B visa holders, with most professionals working in the tech industry. In 2022, 77% of the total 320,000 H-1B visa applications were from India.
In 2023, more than 72% of the 386,000 visa applications were granted to Indian nationals.
Growing Presence of Indians in the US
Indians are also the largest group of international students in the US, with 331,000 student visas issued in 2024.
The number of visitors from India has also grown significantly. In the first 11 months of 2024, over two million Indians visited the US, marking a 26% increase compared to 2023.
