The US Division is introducing a pilot programme to restart the renewal course of for certified H-1B non-immigrant visa candidates throughout the nation. This initiative goals to evaluate the Division’s technical and operational capabilities in reinstating home visa renewals. The primary part is for 20,000 folks and is open solely to Indians and Canadians. 

H-1B Visa Pilot Programme: Dates 

The State Division will obtain functions for the H-1B pilot programme from January 29 to April 1, 2024. Eligible candidates are inspired to use on-line throughout the three-month utility window. The division has set a deadline of midnight on April 15, 2024, to submit written feedback and associated supplies.

It plans to open roughly 4,000 utility slots for H-1B visa renewals each week. These slots can be obtainable on the next dates: January 29, February 5, February 12, February 19, and February 26.

H-1B Visa Pilot Programme: Eligibility 

Candidates should meet the next standards:

• Solely H-1B visa renewals are processed through the pilot part; different visa varieties should not included.
• The H-1B visa to be renewed should have been issued by Mission Canada between January 1, 2020, and April 1, 2023, or by Mission India from February 1, 2021, to September 30, 2021.
• Eligibility for a waiver of the in-person interview is required.
• Candidates should have beforehand submitted ten fingerprints to the Division for a previous visa utility.
• Candidates shouldn’t be topic to a nonimmigrant visa issuance charge, also called a reciprocity charge.
• The prior visa should not have a ‘clearance obtained’ annotation.
• Candidates can not have a visa ineligibility that requires a waiver for issuance.
• Candidates should have an permitted and unexpired H-1B petition.
• The applicant’s most up-to-date admission to the U.S. should have been in H-1B standing.
• Candidates should be at the moment sustaining H-1B standing in america.
• The interval of licensed admission in H-1B standing mustn’t have expired.
• Candidates should intend to reenter the U.S. in H-1B standing after a short lived interval overseas.

H-1B Visa Pilot Programme: Software Particulars

To submit functions, go to right here (https://journey.state.gov/content material/journey/en/us-visas/employment/domestic-renewal.html). An outline of this regulation is accessible on www.rules.gov by looking for “1400-AF79” on the homepage. 

Candidates are required to pay the non-refundable and non-transferable MRV charge of $205 (Rs 17,072) by the net portal.

For additional inquiries or help, candidates can contact Jami Thompson, Senior Regulatory Coordinator, Visa Providers, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Division of State, through electronic mail at VisaRegs@state.gov.