As early as January 2024, a limited number of H-1B specialty occupation workers will be able to renew their visa stamps in the United States, as opposed to traveling to a U.S. consulate abroad. The H-1B domestic visa renewal pilot will initially be limited to just 20,000 participants and will allow H-1B holders to renew their visas by mailing them to the Department of State rather than traveling outside the United States where they may be subject to uncertain wait times to secure an appointment at a U.S. consular office before returning. A Federal Register notice with full details is expected to be published in December. The Department of State is also working to extend interview waivers for certain temporary visas and offer a digital visa for travel to the US, with the goal of improving efficiency and reducing the backlog for consular visa appointments.