H1-B Visa Pilot Program starts January 29 to April 1, 2024 with a firm deadline of midnight April 15. 2024 and need to pay a MRV fee of $205.
The US government is rolling out a new test program to restart the renewal process for certain non-immigrant visa holders, specifically those with H-1B visas. The aim is to see if they can smoothly handle renewals for people already in the country. This effort focuses on evaluating the government’s ability to handle the technical and operational aspects of renewing visas for those residing domestically. The initial phase targets 20,000 people and is limited to individuals from India and Canada.
H-1B Visa Pilot Program: Key Dates
Starting from January 29 to April 1, 2024, the State Department will be accepting applications for the H-1B pilot program. It’s crucial for eligible candidates to apply online during this three-month period. The Department has set a firm deadline of midnight on April 15, 2024, for submitting comments and relevant materials.
The plan is to open up about 4,000 slots for H-1B visa renewals every week. These slots will be up for grabs on specific dates: January 29, February 5, February 12, February 19, and February 26.
H-1B Visa Pilot Program: Who Can Apply
Applicants must meet specific criteria, including:
- Only H-1B visa renewals are considered during this test phase; other visa types are not part of the program.
- Eligibility requires that the H-1B visa needing renewal was issued by Mission Canada between January 1, 2020, and April 1, 2023, or by Mission India from February 1, 2021, to September 30, 2021.
- A waiver for the in-person interview is a must.
- Applicants should have submitted ten fingerprints to the Department for a previous visa application.
- Being exempt from the nonimmigrant visa issuance fee, commonly known as a reciprocity fee, is a condition.
- The prior visa should not have a ‘clearance received’ annotation.
- Visa ineligibility that requires a waiver for issuance is not allowed.
- Possession of an approved and unexpired H-1B petition is mandatory.
- The applicant’s most recent entry to the U.S. should have been under H-1B status.
- Applicants must currently be in H-1B status within the United States.
- The period of authorized admission in H-1B status should not have expired.
- Intent to return to the U.S. in H-1B status after a temporary period abroad is required.
H-1B Visa Pilot Program: Application Process
To submit applications, visit the official page . Can also find an overview of the regulations by searching for “1400-AF79” on www.regulations.gov.
Applicants are required to pay a non-refundable and non-transferable MRV fee of $205 (Rs 17,072) through the online portal.
For more information or assistance, contact Jami Thompson, the Senior Regulatory Coordinator for Visa Services at the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of State, via email at VisaRegs@state.gov.
