FIRM Act of 2025
The Fee Increases for Reckless Mismanagement Act of 2025 (FIRM Act of 2025) would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to raise the visa application fee for certain nonimmigrant visas. Specifically, it targets foreign nationals applying abroad for a B visa (temporary business or tourism) who come from countries flagged by U.S. officials. The Secretary of State would adjust the fee upward based on whether the country meets one, two, or three criteria related to DHS and State Department findings (delays or denials of accepting aliens, state sponsorship of terrorism, or being listed as a Tier 3 country in the trafficking victims report). The increase would be at least 50%, with higher increases (100% or 150%) if more criteria are met. The bill also requires monthly reviews to potentially adjust or expand the list of affected countries. It is introduced in the House and referred to the Judiciary Committee. In short, the bill imposes a rising, criteria-based surcharge on certain nonimmigrant visa applicants from specific countries, with the aim of addressing “reckless mismanagement” or problematic conditions in those countries. If enacted, it could raise the cost for affected applicants and create ongoing annual/monthly adjustments based on evolving country assessments.
Key Points
- 1Creates a new fee adjustment (Section 281A) for aliens filing abroad for a visa under 101(a)(15)(B) (B visas) who are nationals of certain countries.
- 2Eligibility triggers: (1) DHS report that the country denied or unreasonably delayed accepting its own nationals after DHS asked if the country would accept them; (2) the country is designated a state sponsor of terrorism; (3) the country is listed as a Tier 3 country in the State Department’s Trafficking in Persons report.
- 3Level of increase: at least 50% if one criterion is met; at least 100% if two criteria are met; at least 150% if all three criteria are met.
- 4Periodic monthly review: the Secretary of State must review the country determinations each month to decide if increases should be reduced or if additional countries should be added.
- 5Administrative change: inserts new section 281A into the Immigration and Nationality Act and adjusts the table of contents accordingly.