H-1B Visa Renewal: The US has made an important announcement regarding the renewal of H-1B visas which are used by professionals to work in the US. Henceforth there will be no need to return to India for renewal of H-1B visa. The in-country H-1B renewable visa will be issued by the US. So the visa can be renewed without even leaving the US. This step has been taken when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently on a US tour. H-1B visa is also called work visa and technology companies use it to hire thousands of employees from countries like India.
These measures will provide relief to thousands of Indian H-1B visa holders living in America. Till now, if he had to renew his work visa, he had to go out of the US for some time and then return after renewing the visa.
What is H-1B visa?
There is always a huge demand for H-1B visas of America. This is the most preferred non-immigrant visa through which US companies can hire specialized workers from other countries including India. American companies use this visa to hire people with technical skills and to bring foreign workers to the United States. That’s why it is also called work visa. Until 2024, certain types of nonimmigrant visas, notably H-1B visas, can be renewed or stamped within the United States.
Extending H-1B visas will be easier
But after 2004 the rules changed. Therefore, if the H-1B visa was to be renewed, the person had to go outside the US. Most of the time, they had to return to their home country and get an H-1B visa extension. H-1Bs are issued for three years. After the visa renewal of H-1B visa holders, they have to get the renewal date stamped on their passport. If they have to go out of America and re-enter America then it is necessary. Currently, H-1B visas are not stamped in the US. Re-stamping is done at any US consulate.
Indians will get maximum relief
Due to the rule so far, foreign workers were facing a lot of inconvenience. But now their work will become easier. At present, when the waiting period for visas ranges from 800 days to two years, it would be very useful to have the facility to renew H-1B visas within the US. Indians will also get special relief because last year America had issued 1.25 lakh student visas. Within a year, the number of Indian students coming to the US for higher education has increased by 20 percent.
