H.R. 10106: Visa Improvement, Streamlined Investment, and Tourism Optimization Reform Act

This bill would let the State Department use certain visa-related fees and surcharges more flexibly to pay for consular services, with the aim of shortening visa wait times.

What it changes

• It amends existing law so some fee money collected from passport and immigrant visa-related surcharges can be used for general consular services, not just narrower purposes.
• It allows unobligated balances from certain previously collected fees to be transferred into the Consular and Border Security Programs account and, in some cases, between State Department foreign affairs accounts.
• It also updates related language so those funds can support other general consular services, not only enhanced border security.

Operational goal

The bill directs the Secretary of State to take steps toward a goal of having 80% of nonimmigrant visa applicants interviewed within 3 weeks of submitting an application. The bill says this goal may be adjusted in individual cases because of staffing limits, security checks, or the need to provide services to U.S. citizens abroad.

Practical effect

In plain terms, the bill would give the State Department more access to certain fee revenue so it can hire staff, expand operations, or otherwise support visa-processing and consular work. The intended result is to reduce delays for people applying for U.S. nonimmigrant visas, while also maintaining other consular functions.

Relevant Companies

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