The campaign to expand the H-1B Domestic Visa Renewal Programme gained momentum as seven US Congressmen, including Indian-origin lawmakers Suhas Subramanyam, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Ro Khanna, urged US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to formalise and broaden the pilot initiative.
Launched in January 2024, the pilot programme allows eligible H-1B visa holders to renew their visas within the United States—a process not permitted since 2004. This shift is particularly significant for Indian professionals, who make up over 70% of all H-1B visa holders. In 2023 alone, 206,591 out of 265,777 H-1B visas were issued to Indians. Before this programme, visa holders had to return to their home countries for renewal, often facing long waits for appointments at US embassies—especially in high-demand countries like India.
US Lawmakers Push to Expand Domestic Visa Renewals for Skilled Foreign Workers
The lawmakers wrote a joint letter to Secretary Rubio, calling the pilot a success and advocating for its expansion to include other work visa categories such as E, H, I, L, O, and P. They emphasized the need for clear eligibility rules and formalization of the programme to relieve administrative burdens and provide stability for visa holders and US businesses. The campaign is also being supported by Indian-American entrepreneur Ajay Jain Bhutoria, who originally recommended the programme to the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI). He expressed excitement over the bipartisan support, calling domestic visa renewal a logical modernization step.
So far, around 20,000 H-1B holders were eligible under the 2024 pilot. The programme has helped reduce backlogs at overseas consulates while offering certainty and convenience for high-skilled professionals, particularly in the tech industry. Expansion of this programme could significantly improve processing efficiency and reduce disruptions to the lives and careers of foreign workers in the US, most of whom are Indian nationals. With growing political support, further developments may be expected soon.
Summary:
Seven US lawmakers, including Indian-origin leaders, urged the expansion of the 2024 H-1B Domestic Visa Renewal Programme. The initiative benefits Indian tech workers by allowing visa renewals within the US, easing embassy backlogs. With 70% of H-1B visas issued to Indians, the programme’s formalisation could improve efficiency and stability.
