Domestic Visa Renewal Pilot Program to be Launched for H-1B and L Visas

In a recent interview with Bloomberg Law, Julie Stufft, Deputy Assistant Secretary for visa services in the Bureau of Consular Affairs confirmed that the U.S. State Department will launch a pilot program later this year to allow H-1B and L visa holders to renew their visas domestically without travelling abroad.  

Visa revalidation or renewal is a legal mechanism through which a foreigner can extend their American visa from within the United States. In most situations, foreign nationals must apply for American visas from an overseas U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The visa renewal program has been put on hold since 2004, except for short travel to Canada or Mexico.

Currently, the pilot program will only allow H-1B and L visas to be extended domestically. According to Deputy Assistant Secretary Stufft, the visa renewal program could be expanded to other visa categories in the future.  Stay tuned for further announcements. 

As a result of Covid-19, a huge backlog of cases has been accumulated abroad, resulting in serious shortages of visa appointments. Many foreign workers, especially those from India, have not been able to travel internationally for fear that they may not be able to return in time to resume their employment. This is certainly good news for many foreign nationals working in the United States.

(Immigration laws and policies change regularly.  If you have any questions regarding this article, please visit www.1visa1.com to schedule a legal consultation.)