H-1B visa domestic renewal in US campaign gains momentum
The US State Department ran a highly successful domestic renewal pilot programme with 20,000 H-1B holders in 2024
US Congressmen, including three Indian-origin lawmakers, have sent a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio asking him to provide eligible H-1B and other low-risk category visa holders the option to renew their visas within America.
Also read: New US immigration rules in place; apply to Green Card, H-1B visa holders too
The move will help Indians who get the majority of H-1B visas every year. The Indian professionals can renew their visas in the US if this is implemented, or else they need to travel to India and wait for long get appointments at US embassies.
Successful pilot programme
The US State Department ran a highly successful domestic renewal pilot programme with 20,000 H-1B holders in 2024.
The lawmakers urged Rubio to ensure that the programme not only continues but is expanded to include additional E, H, I, L, O, and P visas to ease unnecessary burdens on workers and businesses alike.
Up until 2004, the US allowed E, H, I, L, O, and P visas holders to renew their visas domestically. This practice was discontinued by the State Department in response to the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002.
On Thursday (May 15), Indian-American entrepreneur Ajay Jain Bhutoria backed the campaign and shared the letter written to Rubio and signed by seven Congressmen.
“I’m thrilled to see bipartisan support for domestic visa renewal! The pilot program, launched based on my recommendation to the WHIAANHPI Commission & implemented by the State Dept, is a step forward. @SecRubio, domestic visa renewal is the right move. (sic),” Bhutoria wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
'Cumbersome' process
According to Congressman Suhas Subramanyam, the process of domestic renewal for H-1B visa would increase government efficiency and reduce unnecessary delays and costs associated with requiring visa holders to travel abroad for renewals.
“It would alleviate the burden on U.S. embassies and consulates, which often face backlogs. Allowing renewals within the country ensures that skilled workers, critical to industries like technology and health care, can continue to contribute to the U.S. economy without disruption, ultimately benefiting American businesses and communities,” he said.
“The current process to renew H-1B visas is cumbersome and needs to be modernised,” said Subramanyam. “This bipartisan proposal, based on a successful bipartisan 2024 pilot programme, will help streamline the H1-B process and avoid unnecessary processing delays.”
‘Modernise our immigration system’
The letter to Rubio is signed by Subramanyam, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna, Rich McCormick, Henry Calvin Johnson, Don Bacon, and Sanford Dixon Bishop Jr.
“Building upon the 2024 pilot programme for domestic visa renewals will demonstrate that we can modernise our immigration system while maintaining security and efficiency,” said Congressman McCormick. “As a fiscal conservative, I believe expanding and formalising this initiative is crucial. It will alleviate the strain on American businesses, bolster our high-skilled workforce, and cut through the red tape holding back our economic edge. I'm proud to stand with my colleagues in pushing the administration to take this vital step toward a streamlined, future-focused visa process.”
“The 2024 pilot programme for domestic visa renewals was a commonsense success, and now it’s time to build on that momentum,” said Congressman Krishnamoorthi.