The Department of State has announced a pilot program to resume domestic visa renewal for qualified H-1B nonimmigrant visa applicants who meet certain requirements. The pilot program will accept applications from January 29, 2024, to April 1, 2024. Applicants who meet the requirements may participate during the application window by applying online at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/employment/domestic-renewal.html.

Participation will be limited to:

• Those seeking to renew H-1B .

• Prior H-1B visa was issued by Mission Canada (issuance date from January 1, 2020, to April 1, 2023) or Mission India (issuance date from February 1, 2021, to September 30, 2021).

• Those not subject to a nonimmigrant visa issuance fee (“reciprocity fee”).

• Those eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview requirement.

• Those who submitted ten fingerprints for their previous visa applications.

• Those whose prior visa does not include a “clearance received” annotation.

• Those who do not have a visa ineligibility that would require a waiver.

• Those who have an approved and unexpired H-1B petition.

• Those who were most recently admitted in H-1B status.

• Those who are currently maintaining H-1B status in the U.S.

• Those whose period of unauthorized admission in H-1B status has not expired.

• Those who intend to reenter the U.S. in H-1B status.

The Department of State will begin accepting online applications on January 29, 2024. The DOS will release about 2,000 application slots for H-1B visas issued by Mission Canada and about 2,000 slots for H-1B visas issued by Mission India on the following dates:

• January 29, 2024

• February 5, 2024

• February 12, 2024

• February 19, 2024

• February 26, 2024

Once the application slot limit is reached, the online portal will be locked until the new slots are released on the next application date. The application period for the pilot program will close when all application slots are filled or on April 1, 2024.

For the full notice, please refer to the below link:

https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2023-28160.pdf