A bill, the Temporary Family Visitation Act, is being reconsidered that would allow foreigners to visit the United States on a temporary basis for family events such as weddings, birthdays, and holiday celebrations. Visitors would be required to have travel medical insurance for the duration of their stay.

Currently, nonimmigrants can visit the United States on B-1 or B-2 visas for business or tourism. The proposed Temporary Family Visitation Act (TFVA) would create a third nonimmigrant visa category, the B-3, which would allow foreigners to visit the United States for up to 90 days.

The TFVA is designed to provide foreign family members with the ability to visit their loved ones in the United States. The dates of eligibility for the stay in the U.S. will be strictly enforced. If a visitor overstays their visa, their U.S.-based family members will be ineligible to petition for future visits for foreign family members.

U.S.-based relatives who petition for their foreign relatives to visit the U.S. will be required to sign an affidavit of financial support. The foreign relatives must also purchase qualifying travel medical insurance or provide proof of existing health insurance that covers international medical expenses during travel.

The bill was previously introduced but did not pass.

ILBSG actively monitors ongoing updates to U.S. immigration policy. If you have questions about any immigration-related issue, for business or family, please contact us. We will work with you to ensure that you receive the right advice for your specific situation.