H-1B Domestic Visa Renewal Pilot Program Begins as Demand Soars

A limited number of H-1B workers now can begin applying to renew their visas without leaving the US, the first time in two decades the option has been available.

The State Department on Monday will release the first 4,000 application slots for its long-anticipated domestic visa renewal pilot program. A total of 20,000 participants will be accepted for the pilot over the next five weeks, split equally between workers who recently received their H-1B specialty occupation visas at consulates in India and Canada.

State expects the initiative to reduce workloads at its consular offices abroad—one of a number of measures ...