Plans call for letting H-1B workers renew visas without leaving country (Bloomberg)

Last week, the US State Department reported it will begin a pilot program to allow some H-1B or L-1 visa holders to renew their visas without leaving the country, according to an article by The Wall Street Journal on Mint. For the past 20 years, the visa holders have been required to travel outside the US to a consulate office in order to renew their visas. Domestic visa renewals were discontinued in 2004 following Sept. 11 security concerns.