A pilot program for domestic H-1B visa renewal for 20,000 visa holders will exclude their dependents. H-4 visa holders will still have to travel for their visa renewal. Companies are encouraging the U.S. government to include H-1B families in the program when it expands or becomes permanent.

The domestic H-1B visa renewal program is expected to start in January 2024, following publication in the Federal Register. Details on how to qualify and how the process will work will be included in that publication. The anticipated process is selected H-1B visa holders will mail their passports to the Department of State. It will be reviewed, stamped, and returned, all via U.S. postal services.

This isn’t a new program; it’s making a comeback. It was ended in 2004 to comply with the required gathering of biometric information. Now, it’s back as a trial program. Currently, individuals with special work visas have to travel for renewals. The process introduced a lot of uncertainty. Delays and travel costs made things even tougher. Unfortunately, these problems continue for the families of people with H-1B visas. The government says it can’t include them in the trial due to additional requirements that can’t be met at this time.

About 90,000 family members with H-4 visas work in the U.S., and many of them are in science and tech jobs. They deal with the same worries and long trips, which affect their jobs and employers. Employers hope the trial renewal program works well and is quickly expanded.

If you’re wondering about renewing a visa or anything about U.S. immigration, contact us. We work with our clients, every step of the way.