Politiparty
Politiparty

118th Congress Immigration

S. 2632: Visa Processing Improvement Act

Introduced

  1. Introduced (completed)Jul 27, 2023
  2. Passed Senate (not reached)
  3. Passed House (not reached)
  4. To the President (not reached)
  5. Became law (not reached)

Summary

Introduced in Senate, Jul 27, 2023

This bill establishes measures to reduce processing times for certain nonimmigrant visas.

The bill authorizes domestic renewal of an unexpired B (temporary visitor) visa.

The bill also expands the authority of the Department of State to waive mandatory in-person interviews for certain nonimmigrant visa applicants, including for eligible individuals 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 its expiration date. 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.

Read the full summary

If a 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.

The bill also requires the State Department to establish, via rulemaking, standards for consulates for nonimmigrant visa processing times. The State Department must also 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.

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.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Roll calls

0 votes on this bill

No roll call votes have been held on this bill.

Amendments

0 offered

No amendments were offered to this bill.

Cosponsors

1

Bipartisan support.

Who scored on this bill

6 points earned
  1. 1Amy Klobuchar D-MN SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, introduced2 events+6
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Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.

Other bills by Amy Klobuchar

History

  1. Jul 27, 2023Introduced in the Senate by Amy Klobuchar.
Show the full action history (2 actions)
  1. Jul 27, 2023Introduced in Senate
  2. Jul 27, 2023Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.