Indian government urged to help H1-B dependents and H-4 holders in US domestic visa renewal

Indian Parliament Member Galla Jayadev has taken a stand in Parliament, urging the Indian government to step in and address the concerns of dependents of H-1B and H-4 visa holders in the United States. The issue has surfaced as the US Administration introduced a condition in the renewal process that excludes dependents of H-1B professionals, requiring them to return to their home country for visa renewal.

During a press briefing on November 28, 2023, Julie Stufft, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Visa Services, said that they are working on the domestic renewal of visas. “This is being run as a pilot starting next month and into the beginning of the calendar year 2024. What this means is that people who are living and working in the United States on a long-term work visa do not have to leave the United States to apply for their next visa or to renew their visa. They would be able to send it to us here in Washington, have it renewed without leaving the country, and sent back to them in their own passport,” she added.