By Avi Friedman and Evan Gordon
The U.S. Department of State has confirmed they will soon allow certain visa holders to apply to renew their non-immigrant visas from within the United States, removing the need to travel to a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. This “revalidation” program represents a significant step toward reducing visa processing times and improving global mobility for visa holders who require a valid visa for travel to the United States.
The stateside renewal initiative is set to initially roll out to the H-1B visa category before the end of the year with a limited pilot phase, and may be expanded further in the future. This program will bring renewed convenience to those seeking to ensure they possess valid visas required for international travel before departing the U.S., avoiding the complexities and lengthy wait times at certain Consular Posts overseas.
The program is expected to bring much needed flexibility and convenience for individuals and companies alike, facilitating a smoother process and reducing work disruptions. The initiative will likewise reduce the increased workloads and backlogs that the U.S. Consulates and Embassies have endured while resuming consular processing services in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since domestic visa processing was discontinued in 2004 due to enhanced security requirements, immigration practitioners and other stakeholders have urged the Department of State to reinstate domestic visa processing to provide relief to applicants facing severe backlogs. During the pandemic, many Indian visa applicants, who form the largest group of H-1B visa holders, were prevented from returning to the U.S. for months while awaiting their visa appointments.
The Stateside Visa Renewal Program is expected to be well-received by applicants, businesses, and mobility professionals alike. Providing a more efficient method of renewing visas will help serve the Department of State’s mission of protecting U.S. security and prosperity, while facilitating legitimate travel to the United States.
WR will continue to monitor developments with the stateside visa renewal program and post updates as they become available.
