H-1B Visa Pilot Program - Key Dates
Commencing on January 29 and concluding on April 1, 2024, the State Department will be accepting applications for the H-1B pilot program. Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their applications online during this three-month period. Additionally, the department has set a deadline of midnight on April 15, 2024, for the submission of written comments and associated materials.
Approximately 4,000 slots for H-1B visa renewals are slated to open each week, with availability on the following dates: January 29, February 5, February 12, February 19, and February 26.
H-1B Visa Pilot Program - Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the pilot program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- The pilot phase exclusively processes H-1B visa renewals; other visa types are not included.
- The H-1B visa to be renewed must have been issued by Mission Canada between January 1, 2020, and April 1, 2023, or by Mission India from February 1, 2021, to September 30, 2021.
- Eligibility for a waiver of the in-person interview is mandatory.
- Applicants must have previously submitted ten fingerprints to the Department for a prior visa application.
- Applicants should not be subject to a nonimmigrant visa issuance fee, also known as a reciprocity fee.
- The prior visa must not bear a 'clearance received' annotation.
- Applicants cannot have a visa ineligibility that requires a waiver for issuance.
- Applicants must possess an approved and unexpired H-1B petition.
- The applicant's most recent admission to the U.S. must have been in H-1B status.
- Applicants must be presently maintaining H-1B status in the United States.
- The period of authorized admission in H-1B status should not have expired.
- Applicants must intend to re-enter the U.S. in H-1B status after a temporary period abroad.
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