The US State Department is working on a test programme that would allow some work visa holders to renew their documents in the US.
The pilot programme would affect holders of H-1B visas. This type of visa allows highly skilled foreigners to enter the US to work for at least three years.
Currently, H-1B visa holders must travel to an American diplomatic mission outside the US to apply for a visa extension.
A State Department spokesperson told VOA that the pilot programme is intended to address “the uncertainty often experienced by U.S. companies” that hire H-1B workers on a temporary basis. The official spoke via email. The official spoke to VOA on condition that he not be identified.
The official said the State Department would evaluate whether the policy change would improve the availability and speed of visa approvals worldwide.
Immigration advocates have long urged President Joe Biden’s administration to reinstate the US visa renewal process, which was discontinued in 2004. They say the current renewal process can make it difficult for US-based foreign workers to get appointments at US diplomatic missions abroad. And the travel associated with those appointments can be very costly.
The spokesman said the State Department hopes to begin accepting renewal documents by the end of this year. The programme will start with officials inviting a small number of visa holders to take part.
But the spokesman said the programme must first go through a rule-making process that will begin at the White House. Once those rules are finalised, the State Department will seek public comment and consider any necessary changes. The proposal will then go back to the White House for final review.
