Pilot Program For Renewing H-1B Visas in U.S. to Start in January

According to a recent article in Bloomberg Law, the U.S. Department of State has indicated that it will start its pilot program enabling H-1B workers to renew their visas from within the U.S. in January. However, the program will be limited to just 20,000 applicants. More details are needed as to who will be eligible for the program, e.g. will it be first-come, first-served; will there be a lottery process involved; or will it be limited to visa renewals or certain industries. A Federal Register notice with details on the process is expected to be issued next month.