Recent developments indicate that there may be a glimmer of hope for Indian professionals in the US holding H1-B visas who face the arduous process of obtaining home stamping when traveling to India. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit, there is anticipation of an agreement being signed that could have a significant impact on these professionals.
As part of a people-to-people initiative preceding Modi’s meeting with President Biden, US authorities are reportedly planning to introduce ‘in-country’ renewable H1-B visas. The proposed change aims to streamline the renewal process for Indian professionals employed on H1-B visas in the US, serving as its primary objective.
H1-B visa holders have been burdened with the inconvenience of having to travel outside the US for stamping for over a decade, resulting in delays and numerous challenges. This situation has even disrupted travel plans for important occasions such as weddings. To address this long-standing issue, the US State Department is expected to launch a pilot program later this year, which will allow for the in-country renewal of temporary work visas.
The program is set to expand gradually to include a wider group of H-1 and L visa holders, ultimately benefiting Indian professionals, including those belonging to the Telugu community. With Modi’s visit on the horizon, there is growing optimism that the announcement of ‘in-country’ H1-B stamping will bring much-needed relief and convenience to Indian professionals traveling to India.