FIRM Act of 2025

This bill mandates the Secretary of State to significantly increase visa application fees for certain nonimmigrant visitors. Specifically, it targets aliens seeking a B nonimmigrant visa (for business or pleasure) who are nationals of countries meeting particular adverse criteria. The legislation aims to penalize countries for non-cooperation on immigration matters, terrorism sponsorship, or human trafficking. The fee increase is triggered if a country has denied or unreasonably delayed accepting its citizens for deportation, is designated as a state sponsor of international terrorism , or is listed as a Tier 3 country in the Trafficking in Persons report. Depending on whether one, two, or all three criteria are met, the visa fee will increase by not less than 50 percent, 100 percent, or 150 percent, respectively. The Secretary of State is required to review these country determinations monthly to adjust fee increases as necessary.