US starts 5-week H1-B visas renewal drive, to accept 20,000 applications

H1B workers, including Indian nationals, can begin applying to renew their visas without leaving the US, marking a significant change after nearly two decades.

Up to 20,000 qualified nonimmigrant workers can renew their H-1B visas domestically.

The announcement by the US Department of State on the pilot program for in-country renewal of certain petition-based temporary work visas, including for Indian nationals, was made in June 2023, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US.