Indian workers in US can now renew H-1B visas without leaving the country
PTC Web Desk: The United States is set to roll out a new programme allowing H-1B visa holders to renew their visas without having to travel back to their home country. The US Embassy in New Delhi confirmed that the US-based renewal programme is expected to be implemented later this year, offering significant relief to Indian workers employed in specialty occupations.
This announcement follows the success of a pilot programme aimed at renewing H-1B visas within the US. The pilot programme, which allowed many Indian professionals in specialised fields to renew their visas without leaving the US, proved effective in streamlining the process for thousands of workers. As a result of this success, the Department of State plans to formally establish a US-based H-1B visa renewal system in 2025. According to the embassy’s year-end statement, the new programme is expected to simplify the visa renewal process and alleviate the challenges faced by workers who previously had to return to India to renew and restamp their visas.
For many Indian workers, the need to travel to India to renew their visas has been a time-consuming and often challenging process. One of the biggest hurdles has been securing appointment slots at US consulates, which can sometimes be difficult to obtain. The new US-based renewal programme is expected to eliminate this obstacle, providing a more efficient and convenient option for visa holders.
The announcement comes amid ongoing debates about the H-1B visa programme in the U.S. While some critics argue that the programme leads to job displacement for American workers, particularly in technology and engineering sectors, others, including US President-elect Donald Trump and prominent figures such as Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, have defended it.
Indian nationals have been the largest group of H-1B visa holders for years, accounting for the majority of applicants. In 2022, Indian workers secured 77% of the 320,000 H-1B visas granted, and in fiscal year 2023, they made up 72.3% of the 386,000 visas issued.
- With inputs from agencies
