US to launch domestic work visa renewal programme in December, Indians to benefit most.
Washington:
The United States plans to launch a pilot program for the domestic renewal of certain categories of H-1B visas in December, with Indian technology professionals expected to benefit significantly, according to a US official.
This decision comes after the White House announced the plan during the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June.”
Julie Stufft, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Visa Services, stated in an interview with news agency PTI that the US aims to address the high demand for US visas in India and reduce the long wait times for visa appointments. As part of this effort, the State Department will be issuing 20,000 visas to foreign nationals who are already inside the country over a period of three months, beginning in December.
Ms. Stufft highlighted that a significant majority of the 20,000 visas will be granted to Indian nationals living in the US, with the intention of expanding the program in the future. The move is aimed at preventing individuals from having to travel back to India or elsewhere for a visa appointment and will allow US missions in India to focus on new applicants. The program, which was formally announced during PM Modi’s visit, has been welcomed by the Indian community in the US.
The State Department will soon release a federal register notice outlining the steps that need to be taken and the eligibility criteria for the program. Ms. Stufft emphasized that the domestic visa renewal program applies only to work visas and is intended for individuals living long-term in the US who wish to renew their visa without having to return overseas.
Indian-American community leader Ajay Jain Bhutoria hailed the move by the State Department as “significant,” expressing gratitude to President Biden and advocating for further policy changes to benefit legal immigrants.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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