Visa Processing Improvement Act

Bill: 118-s-2632
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2023-07-27
Policy area: Immigration
Latest action: action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-07-27
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><strong>Visa Processing Improvement Act&nbsp;</strong></p><p>This bill establishes measures to reduce processing times for certain nonimmigrant visas.</p><p>The bill authorizes domestic renewal of an unexpired B (temporary visitor) visa.</p><p>The bill also expands&nbsp;the authority of the Department of State to waive mandatory in-person interviews for certain nonimmigrant visa applicants, including for eligible individuals&nbsp;who (1) have previously traveled to the United States through the Visa Waiver Program, or (2) are renewing a visa less than 48 months after&nbsp;its expiration date.&nbsp;The bill also authorizes interviews for certain B visa applications to be conducted remotely (i.e., via teleconference technology) subject to various requirements, including requirements related to security.&nbsp;</p><p>If a&nbsp;first-time visa applicant is eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview requirement, that individual may pay for expedited processing of that application.</p><p>The bill also requires the State Department to establish, via rulemaking, standards for consulates for nonimmigrant visa processing times. The State Department must also&nbsp;assist consulates that do not meet these standards. Such assistance may include increasing staffing and implementing technological upgrades. Consulates must make interview wait time data publicly available and regularly update this information.</p><p>The bill also expands the Consular Fellows Program by 5% per year through FY2030 and requires fellows to be trained to conduct visa interviews in English.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><!--tinycomments|2.1|data:application/json;base64,{"mce-conversation_21128772621723827255538":{"uid":"mce-conversation_21128772621723827255538","comments":[{"uid":"mce-conversation_21128772621723827255538","author":"mohora@lib.loc.gov","authorName":"mohora@lib.loc.gov","content":"Para. 1. Topic sentence.\nSection 3(c) of the bill specifically talks about reducing wait times, with other provision in the bill waiving certain requirements (B visa renewals need not be at foreign consulate, interviews may be waived for more applicants) or expanding consulate capacity (remote interviews, growing fellowship program).\n","createdAt":"2024-08-16T16:54:15.538Z","modifiedAt":"2024-08-16T16:54:15.538Z"}]},"mce-conversation_72487170631723827265470":{"uid":"mce-conversation_72487170631723827265470","comments":[{"uid":"mce-conversation_72487170631723827265470","author":"mohora@lib.loc.gov","authorName":"mohora@lib.loc.gov","content":"Para. 2. Section 5 (b) of the bill.\nNotes: B visas must be renewed overseas (State has limited authority to issue visas domestically -eCFR :: 22 CFR 41.111 -- Authority to issue visa. ; See plain language explanation in the Background section here Federal Register :: Pilot Program To Resume Renewal of H-1B Nonimmigrant Visas in the United States for Certain Qualified Noncitizens ) B visa background: eCFR :: 22 CFR 41.31 -- Temporary visitors for business or pleasure.\n","createdAt":"2024-08-16T16:54:25.470Z","modifiedAt":"2024-08-16T16:54:25.470Z"}]},"mce-conversation_51726311241723827276164":{"uid":"mce-conversation_51726311241723827276164","comments":[{"uid":"mce-conversation_51726311241723827276164","author":"mohora@lib.loc.gov","authorName":"mohora@lib.loc.gov","content":"Para. 3. Section 5 (a) of the bill.\nThe expedited process is only available for individuals who qualify for the interview waiver. I used the term “consular staff” because this includes the fellows/fellowship program and in section 2(b ) the bill discusses requirements to train fellows.\n \n","createdAt":"2024-08-16T16:54:36.164Z","modifiedAt":"2024-08-16T16:54:36.164Z"}]},"mce-conversation_59256222551723827298521":{"uid":"mce-conversation_59256222551723827298521","comments":[{"uid":"mce-conversation_59256222551723827298521","author":"mohora@lib.loc.gov","authorName":"mohora@lib.loc.gov","content":"The sentence about English language interviews could be omitted, but I included it since it’s a different way that the bill tries to achieve its stated goal of making visa processing faster.","createdAt":"2024-08-16T16:54:58.521Z","modifiedAt":"2024-08-16T16:54:58.521Z"}]},"mce-conversation_30792759161723827324763":{"uid":"mce-conversation_30792759161723827324763","comments":[{"uid":"mce-conversation_30792759161723827324763","author":"mohora@lib.loc.gov","authorName":"mohora@lib.loc.gov","content":"Para. 4. Section 4 of the bill. \nParagraph explaining waiver of mandatory in-person interviews. The bill makes the waiver available for: \n>>First time applicant; Visa Waiver program country; previously submitted info into ESTA system; (B), (F), (H) (J), (L), (M), (O), (P), or (Q) visa.\n>>Not a first time applicant; previously submitted biometric data to State or DHS; has held specified visa 24 mos of less before application; the consular officer has no indication has not complied with the immigration laws and regulations of the United States; (B), (F), (H) (J), (L), (M), (O), (P), or (Q) visa.\n>>Within 48 months after the date on which the prior visa expired for same visa classification (was previously 12 months); this third category is already operative because of a determination by the Secretary of State that it is in the national interest: Important Update on Waivers of the Interview Requirement for Certain Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants (state.gov) \n","createdAt":"2024-08-16T16:55:24.763Z","modifiedAt":"2024-08-16T16:55:24.763Z"}]},"mce-conversation_64889857071723827377765":{"uid":"mce-conversation_64889857071723827377765","comments":[{"uid":"mce-conversation_64889857071723827377765","author":"mohora@lib.loc.gov","authorName":"mohora@lib.loc.gov","content":"Para. 5. Section 3 of the bill. Specifically, the section starts with the rulemaking provision in 3(d).\nI use “wait time data” to avoid describing that these are “categorizations” that the consulates are required to prepare and share publicly. Also, it doesn’t say to post them online which is why I didn’t use the phrase “post publicly” (presumably at least some consulates are less equipped to do that). You could possibly remove “via rulemaking” for better readability. \n","createdAt":"2024-08-16T16:56:17.765Z","modifiedAt":"2024-08-16T16:56:17.765Z"}]},"mce-conversation_63085262181723827407414":{"uid":"mce-conversation_63085262181723827407414","comments":[{"uid":"mce-conversation_63085262181723827407414","author":"mohora@lib.loc.gov","authorName":"mohora@lib.loc.gov","content":"Para. 6. \nConsular fellows background (specifies that they already conduct visa interviews) What We Do - Careers (state.gov); also note 8 USC 1101 (9) provides “The term \"consular officer\" means any consular, diplomatic, or other officer or employee of the United States designated under regulations prescribed under authority contained in this chapter, for the purpose of issuing immigrant or nonimmigrant visas or, when used in subchapter III, for the purpose of adjudicating nationality.”\n","createdAt":"2024-08-16T16:56:47.413Z","modifiedAt":"2024-08-16T16:56:47.413Z"}]},"mce-conversation_28289510421724078370763":{"uid":"mce-conversation_28289510421724078370763","comments":[{"uid":"mce-conversation_28289510421724078370763","author":"pleung@lib.loc.gov","authorName":"pleung@lib.loc.gov","content":"Moving the discussion about expedited processing to after the discussion about waiving in-person requirements, because that's the eligibility requirement. Edited the sentence to include that requirement, which is important. Unburied some verbs","createdAt":"2024-08-19T14:39:30.762Z","modifiedAt":"2024-08-19T14:39:30.762Z"}]},"mce-conversation_21117834731724082217161":{"uid":"mce-conversation_21117834731724082217161","comments":[{"uid":"mce-conversation_21117834731724082217161","author":"pleung@lib.loc.gov","authorName":"pleung@lib.loc.gov","content":"Edits to this sentence for precision. Adding words like \"eligible individuals\" because we aren't being very thorough about the requirements (for example, the 48 month rule come with several other requirements that have to be met before the waiver can happen.)","createdAt":"2024-08-19T15:43:37.161Z","modifiedAt":"2024-08-19T15:43:37.161Z"}]},"mce-conversation_28398604641724082339647":{"uid":"mce-conversation_28398604641724082339647","comments":[{"uid":"mce-conversation_28398604641724082339647","author":"pleung@lib.loc.gov","authorName":"pleung@lib.loc.gov","content":"Adding the \"B visa\" language because that is a big limitation. Adding the \"various requirements\" language because it's not just security (though that is a big part of it).","createdAt":"2024-08-19T15:45:39.647Z","modifiedAt":"2024-08-19T15:45:39.647Z"}]},"mce-conversation_98154929051724082410837":{"uid":"mce-conversation_98154929051724082410837","comments":[{"uid":"mce-conversation_98154929051724082410837","author":"pleung@lib.loc.gov","authorName":"pleung@lib.loc.gov","content":"Deleting this because the provision is actually about authorizing interviews with consular fellows with limited experience. ","createdAt":"2024-08-19T15:46:50.837Z","modifiedAt":"2024-08-19T16:00:43.101Z"}]},"mce-conversation_10259588461724082624815":{"uid":"mce-conversation_10259588461724082624815","comments":[{"uid":"mce-conversation_10259588461724082624815","author":"pleung@lib.loc.gov","authorName":"pleung@lib.loc.gov","content":"Minor precision edit- the bill requires rules for the wait times to be within certain parameters. Saying that the standards involve reducing processing times suggests that there are goals to meet specific reductions, which aren't necessarily the case (for example, some consulates may already meet whatever standards are being established, so they don't need to reduce their wait times.)","createdAt":"2024-08-19T15:50:24.815Z","modifiedAt":"2024-08-19T15:50:34.016Z"}]},"mce-conversation_64242414771724082796058":{"uid":"mce-conversation_64242414771724082796058","comments":[{"uid":"mce-conversation_64242414771724082796058","author":"pleung@lib.loc.gov","authorName":"pleung@lib.loc.gov","content":"The bill says State must develop protocols to assist with wait times, and the protocol MAY include increasing staffing (i.e., not required). ","createdAt":"2024-08-19T15:53:16.058Z","modifiedAt":"2024-08-19T15:53:16.058Z"}]},"mce-conversation_8510294381724083029888":{"uid":"mce-conversation_8510294381724083029888","comments":[{"uid":"mce-conversation_8510294381724083029888","author":"pleung@lib.loc.gov","authorName":"pleung@lib.loc.gov","content":"Edit to make clear that increasing is not a requirement but a possible action.","createdAt":"2024-08-19T15:57:09.888Z","modifiedAt":"2024-08-19T15:57:09.888Z"}]},"mce-conversation_37682549921724083746337":{"uid":"mce-conversation_37682549921724083746337","comments":[{"uid":"mce-conversation_37682549921724083746337","author":"pleung@lib.loc.gov","authorName":"pleung@lib.loc.gov","content":"Precision edit to add fiscal year reference. Also used \"through\" language to indicate that it includes 2030 (per the bill)- \"until\" is a bit less clear as to whether 2030 is included.","createdAt":"2024-08-19T16:09:06.336Z","modifiedAt":"2024-08-19T16:09:06.336Z"}]}}-->

tv_txt: II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2632 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2023 Ms. Klobuchar (for herself and Mr. Moran ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To improve visa processing times, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Visa Processing Improvement Act . 2. Increasing consular office flexibility and capacity (a) English language interviews Section 222 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1202 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (i) (1) Any alien applying for a visa who qualifies for a waiver from the in person interview requirement under clause (vi)(I) of subsection (h)(1)(A) or any other provision of law who certifies that the alien is capable of, and willing to, complete an entire interview in English may be interviewed remotely in English by a consular fellow with limited experience or by another consular employee stationed at a consulate that does not have a significant backlog of visa applicants. (2) If the consular fellow or consular employee determines that an applicant is not able to communicate fully or accurately in English during the interview, the applicant may be referred to a consulate in the home country of the applicant for a follow-up interview conducted in the native language of the applicant. . (b) Consular Fellows Program (1) Interest in the Consular Fellows Program Individuals who register to take the Foreign Service Officers Test shall be asked if they would like to receive information about the Consular Fellows Program. (2) Expansion; recruitment Subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose, the Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs shall expand the Consular Fellows Program by 5 percent annually through fiscal year 2030 by recruiting individuals with a demonstrated interest in serving the United States Government and living abroad and who possess valuable language skills, particularly individuals whose scores on the Foreign Service Officer Test are within 10 percent of the score required to be invited to the Foreign Service Oral Assessment, to participate in the Consular Fellows Program. (3) Training Each participant in the Consular Fellows Program shall complete 6 months of training in the United States, which shall include conducting English-language interviews of visa applicants on behalf of— (A) consulates that have an insufficient number of consular officers; or (B) the consulate at which the participant is expected to be stationed. (4) Post-fellowship benefit With respect to an individual who successfully completes an assignment as a Consular Fellow with the Bureau of Consular Affairs lasting not less than 3 years, during the 1-year period beginning on the date on which the individual completes that assignment, the Secretary of State may noncompetitively appoint the individual to a position in the Department of State. 3. Improving accountability and transparency (a) Nonimmigrant visa processing standards It is the sense of Congress that not fewer than 80 percent of applicants for nonimmigrant visas who submit applications at a United States consulate should be interviewed by appropriate consular staff not later than 21 days after their application is received by such consulate. (b) Wait times The consul general at each United States consulate shall— (1) categorize wait times nonimmigrant visa applicant interviews based on goals established by Congress, the Secretary of State, or the Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs; (2) make such categorizations publicly available; and (3) regularly update such categorizations. (c) Recurring noncompliance with wait time standard If a consulate is not in compliance with the interview wait time standard established pursuant to subsection (d)(1) for 90 consecutive days, the Secretary of State shall develop protocols to reduce such wait times, which may include— (1) allowing other consulates to share their staff with the noncompliant consulate; (2) increasing in-person staffing at the noncompliant consulate; (3) submitting a plan to the Secretary of State for improving the efficiency with which consular staff process nonimmigrant visa applications; and (4) implementing other remedial efforts, as necessary, including— (A) technological upgrades; (B) overtime allocations; and (C) a new appointment scheduling process. (d) Rulemaking (1) In general The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, shall issue regulations that— (A) establish standards for nonimmigrant visa processing timelines that designate phases for compliance and ongoing improvement, in accordance with subsection (a); (B) establish a trigger mechanism that automatically guarantees immediate support for a nonimmigrant visa applicants after a specified period, in accordance with subsection (c). (2) Minimum standards for nonimmigrant visa processing The trigger mechanism established under paragraph (1)(B) shall, at a minimum, guarantee support, in accordance with subsection (c), for a consulate at which, during the preceding 30-day period, not fewer than 20 percent of nonimmigrant visa applicants received an interview within 45 days of the date on which their application was received by such consulate. (3) Notice and comment exemption In issuing regulations pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary of State is exempted from the requirements set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 553 of title 5, United States Code. (e) Authority To transfer Department of State appropriations to improve passport and visa services (1) In general For any fiscal year, the Secretary of State may transfer not more than $10,000,000 to the Consular and Border Security Programs account from unobligated amounts held in other Department of State accounts or any unobligated balance from prior Acts making appropriations for the Department of State if the Secretary submits a report to the appropriate committees of Congress providing details on the use of the funds. (2) Use of transferred funds Any amounts so transferred shall be used solely for the purpose of carrying out the protocols described in subsection (c) or improving passport or visa services. (3) Appropriate committees of Congress define In this subsection, the term appropriate committees of Congress means— (A) the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and (B) the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. 4. Revising in-person interview waiver eligibility (a) Expansion of classes of aliens eligible for in-Person interview waiver Section 222(h)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1182(h)(1)(A) ) is amended— (1) in clause (iii), by striking or at the end; (2) by adding at the end the following: (iv) (I) applying for the first time for a nonimmigrant visa described in subparagraph (B), (F), (H) (J), (L), (M), (O), (P), or (Q); (II) a national of a country designated as a program country under section 217(c); and (III) a previous traveler to the United States through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization; or. . (b) Prior submission of biometric data Section 222(h)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1202(h)(1)(A) ), as amended by subsection (a), is further amended by adding at the end the following: (vi) (I) not a first time applicant for a nonimmigrant visa; (II) is an individual who— (aa) has previously submitted biometric data to the Department of State or Department of Homeland Security; and (bb) has held a valid visa described in subparagraph (B), (F), (H), (J), (L), (M), (O), (P) or (Q) not more than 24 months before submitting the current application; and (III) an individual with respect to whom the consular officer has no indication has not complied with the immigration laws and regulations of the United States. . (c) Prior visa issued Section 222(h)(1)(B)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1202(h)(1)(B)(i) ) is amended by striking 12 months and inserting 48 months . (d) Remote interview pilot Section 222 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended by section 2(a), is further amended— (1) in subsection (h), by inserting except as provided in subsection (j), after of this Act, ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (j) The in-person interview requirement under subsection (h) may be satisfied by remote videoconference interview if— (1) the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Secretary of Homeland Security, certifies to Congress that such a videoconference interview will not cause undue security concern, as demonstrated by a 2-year pilot program to be carried out by the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security for such purpose; (2) the videoconference technology used to conduct such an interview— (A) meets applicable security and privacy standards, consistent with Department of Homeland Security regulations; and (B) is capable of capturing and collecting biometrics, in accordance with nonimmigrant visa application requirements; (3) such an interview may be conducted by a participant in the Consular Fellows program; and (4) the visa applicant to be so interviewed— (A) is a former visa holder who is applying for a B–1 or B–2 visa on a date that is not more than 48 months after the date on which the previous visa issued to the applicant expired; (B) has never been refused or denied a visa; (C) appears to be prima facie eligible for the B–1 or B–2 visa; (D) is residing in his or her country of citizenship; (E) is able and willing to complete the entire interview in English; and (F) is a citizen of a country with an active Global Entry agreement. . 5. Improving the service experience (a) Expedited service (1) In general Any first-time visa applicant who is eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview requirement under section 222(h)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1202(h) ), as amended by section 4, may, upon the payment of the fees described in paragraph (2), request expedited service, which shall entitle the applicant to a remote interview not later than 14 days after the applicant files a completed application for such visa. (2) Fee In addition to the application fee otherwise required to be submitted with an application for a visa, an applicant described in paragraph (1) seeking expedited service under such paragraph shall include with the application a payment of $500, (in the case of an individual over the age of 17 years) or $50 (in the case of an individual who is 17 years of age or younger) which shall be used by the Secretary of State— (A) to pay for the expansion of the Consular Fellows Program required under section 2(b); and (B) to support the recruitment and training of sufficient additional consular staff to provide the expedited services to which applicants are entitled under paragraph (1). (b) Domestic renewal of B visitor visas Section 221(c)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1201(c)(2) ) is amended— (1) by striking A nonimmigrant and inserting the following: (A) Period of validity A nonimmigrant ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (B) Domestic renewal of B–1 and B–2 visas (i) In general Subject to clause (ii), any alien who, while visiting the United States temporarily for business or pleasure in accordance with section 101(a)(15)(B), desires to extend his or her period of stay in the United States beyond the initial period granted by a B–1 or B–2 visa, as applicable, may apply for such extension not later than the date established by the Secretary of State pursuant to section 5(c) of the Visa Processing Improvement Act without leaving the United States by submitting an application to the appropriate office of the Department of State, together with a fee, in an amount to be determined by the Secretary of State. (ii) Eligibility An alien’s period of stay in the United States may not be extended under clause (i) unless such alien is eligible for an in person interview waiver under section 222(h)(1). (iii) Status while application is pending If an alien’s application for an extension of stay under clause (i) is not approved before the expiration of the alien’s initial period of stay, the alien shall immediately depart from the United States and may not reenter the United States without a valid visa. (iv) Processing renewals Applications for an extension of stay under clause (i) shall be considered on a case-by-case basis and processed either by Department of State staff stationed in the United States or by consular staff in the applicants country of origin, depending on workload, staff availability, and language requirements. . (c) Rulemaking The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall promulgate regulations that establish— (1) the number of days before the expiration of an alien’s initial period of admission under a B–1 or B–2 visa by which such alien may apply for an extension of such period without leaving the United States; and (2) the amount of the fee payable by any alien requesting an extension of his or her period of stay under subparagraph (B)(i) of section 221(c)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1201(c)(2) ), as amended by subsection (b), without leaving the United States, which shall be in addition to the fee otherwise required to be submitted with the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application form (commonly known as the DS–160 ) and shall not include fingerprinting service, which shall be completed by applicants, at their own expense, through an approved third-party vendor who will share the fingerprints directly with the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security. (d) Retention of discretionary authority Notwithstanding subparagraph (B) of section 221(c)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1201(c)(2) ), as amended by subsection (b), the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall have discretionary authority to require visitors seeking an extension of their period of authorized stay in the United States to leave the United States and complete in-person interviews in their respective countries of origin if the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security determine that such requirement is necessary for safety or security purposes.