The U.S. Department of State (DOS) is running a pilot program to allow some foreign nationals to renew their visas inside the United States. This “stateside” visa renewal program is a significant change. It allows eligible individuals to avoid traveling abroad to a U.S. consulate for a visa stamp.

Pilot Program Details

The program’s goal is to streamline the visa renewal process. It also aims to reduce wait times at U.S. consulates overseas. This pilot program, which started in early 2024, is limited in scope.

• Who is eligible? It is currently only for certain H-1B visa holders. H-4 and L-category visa holders are not part of the pilot. The prior H-1B visa must have been issued by a U.S. mission in either Canada or India. Specific issuance dates apply.
• Application Period: The program opened for applications on January 29, 2024. It will run through April 1, 2024, or until all slots are filled.
• Application Limit: The DOS is accepting a limited number of applications. The total is around 20,000 H-1B visas. The goal is to test the program’s feasibility and its technical systems.
• Interview Waiver: A key requirement is that applicants must be eligible for an in-person interview waiver. The U.S. Interview Waiver Program (IWP) allows certain individuals to renew their visas without an interview.

General Visa Renewal Rules

Even outside of this pilot program, some visa holders can renew their visas without a new interview. This is often available under the Interview Waiver Program. To be eligible, your visa must have expired less than 48 months ago. In some cases, visas that expired more than 48 months ago may also be eligible.

This stateside renewal pilot program is a major development. It is the first of its kind in many years. Its success could lead to a permanent domestic visa renewal process. It may also expand to include other visa categories in the future.