The fight to make H-1B visa renewals more convenient has gained momentum as seven U.S. Congressmen, including three of Indian descent, advocate for a broader Domestic Visa Renewal Programme.
Since its pilot launch in 2024, the initiative has allowed eligible H-1B holders to renew visas without leaving the U.S., alleviating backlogs at consulates abroad. Indian professionals, who represent over 70% of H-1B visa holders, stand to benefit significantly if the programme is expanded.
Congressmen Suhas Subramanyam, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Ro Khanna—along with four other lawmakers—have urged U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to formalise the programme and extend it to more visa categories such as E, H, I, L, O, and P.
Indian-American entrepreneur Ajay Jain Bhutoria welcomed the bipartisan support, emphasising that domestic visa renewals would reduce unnecessary burdens for foreign workers and businesses.
“This program is the right move. It modernises our visa system and eliminates excessive delays,” Bhutoria stated.
Since India’s economic liberalisation in the 1990s, Indian professionals have dominated H-1B visa allocations, particularly in tech industries. With calls for expansion intensifying, stakeholders are optimistic that visa processing will become more efficient and accessible for thousands of skilled workers in the U.S.
