The United States has initiated a program to renew the H-1B visa sought by professionals. This process will take 5 weeks to complete and aims to provide facilities to thousands living in the US.

H-1B is a visa that permits companies to hire immigrants and foreign employees if they need theoretical and technical expertise. Technology in the US largely depends on the services of foreign employees they hire from Asian countries, including India and China as per their expertise.

The program was inaugurated on January 29 will run till April 1, which will allow users to renew their visa before their trip abroad.

The scheme was been announced during the visit of Indian premier Narendra Modi to the US.

In a statement by the State Department, it has been cleared that the program will begin to receive applications from January 29 to April 1. Or they will stop receiving applications when the slot is filled.

For the first time in two decades, a limited number of non-immigrants can avail of the opportunity to renew their visas in the US.

The State Department said the pilot program is voluntary and will allow around 4,000 applications per week, 2,000 of which will be for applicants whose H-1B visas were previously issued by Canada at its diplomatic missions, and 2,000 applicants are those who previously get H-1B visas from US Embassies and Consulates in India.

“Applicants who are unable to apply on one application date may attempt to apply again on any of the remaining application dates during the admission period. The application period will close when all applications have been submitted. The slots will be filled or on April 1, 2024, whichever comes first,” it said.

Processing will take an estimated six to eight weeks from the date the State Department receives the applicant’s passport and other required documents.

All applications will be handled on a strict first-received, first-processed basis, the State Department said.

“Individuals who do not meet the requirements to participate in the pilot program, or who choose not to participate in the pilot program, may renew their visas at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad,” the State Department said.