The Department of State is currently working on a pilot program to test the viability of renewing certain petition based NIV categories without having to leave the United States. The pilot program will initially include H-1B and L visas and is anticipated to roll out in Fall 2023, however the exact timeline and scope have not yet been formally announced. Department of State has stated that they are just as eager for the implementation of stateside visa renewals as it will open up resources available at post to conduct more interviews of cases that require in person interviews thereby reducing wait times and backlogs. By way of background, stateside processing of visa renewals was once a routine practice; however, it was eliminated in 2004 (except for diplomats and nongovernmental organizations.)
