U.S. Travel Association is bringing attention to the millions of travelers who seek to visit the United States, but confront a de facto border closure in the way of 400-800 day wait times to receive a visa.
The bill defines the term “relative” to mean a spouse, child, son, daughter, grandchild, parent, grandparent, sibling, uncle, aunt, niece, or nephew. This is more generous than current family-based visas, which only apply to spouses, sons and daughters, parents, and siblings.
Rep. Peters acknowledges that aliens can visit their citizen and LPR relatives in the United States with the B-2 “visitor for pleasure” visa that is already available. The B-3 visa is needed because applicants for a B-2 visa are assessed for potential intent to overstay their visit and remain in the United States permanently, and this can be a problem for applicants with family in the United States.