H.R. 1220: FIRM Act of 2025

This bill requires the Department of State to increase the fee for certain nonimmigrant visa applicants (i.e., those who are visiting temporarily for business or pleasure) who are nationals of certain countries. In particular, the State Department must increase the fee on the nationals of a country if the State Department determines that the government of the country has denied or delayed the acceptance of certain non-U.S. nationals, if the State Department has designated the country as a state sponsor of international terrorism, or if the country is not meeting certain standards for combating human trafficking.

The fee increases with each of the criteria the country meets. The State Department must evaluate countries based on the criteria monthly and adjust the fee accordingly.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.