Legis Daily

Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-362| House 
| Updated: 1/13/2025
Stacey E. Plaskett

Stacey E. Plaskett

Democratic Representative

Virgin Islands

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, titled the Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act of 2025 , aims to establish a visa waiver program specifically for the Virgin Islands of the United States. It achieves this by amending the Immigration and Nationality Act to include the Virgin Islands within the existing visa waiver framework currently applicable to Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Under the proposed program, the Secretary of Homeland Security may waive visa requirements for nonimmigrant visitors seeking admission solely for business or pleasure in the Virgin Islands for a period not exceeding 45 days. This waiver is contingent upon the Secretary determining that an adequate arrival and departure control system is in place and that such a waiver does not pose a threat to the welfare, safety, or security of the United States or its territories. Visitors utilizing this waiver must agree to waive certain rights, including the right to review or appeal an immigration officer's admissibility determination or to contest removal, with limited exceptions. The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretaries of the Interior and State, is mandated to promulgate necessary regulations within one year of enactment. These regulations must include a listing of eligible countries, specifically considering member or associate member countries of the Caribbean Community, unless their inclusion poses a security risk or increases fraud. The bill also requires the establishment of an administrative processing fee to cover the full costs of the program's administration.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-5460
Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act of 2022

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-1033
Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act of 2023

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-407
Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act of 2019
Jan 13, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 13, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-5460
    Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act of 2022


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-1033
    Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act of 2023


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-407
    Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act of 2019


  • January 13, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 13, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Immigration

Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-362| House 
| Updated: 1/13/2025
This bill, titled the Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act of 2025 , aims to establish a visa waiver program specifically for the Virgin Islands of the United States. It achieves this by amending the Immigration and Nationality Act to include the Virgin Islands within the existing visa waiver framework currently applicable to Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Under the proposed program, the Secretary of Homeland Security may waive visa requirements for nonimmigrant visitors seeking admission solely for business or pleasure in the Virgin Islands for a period not exceeding 45 days. This waiver is contingent upon the Secretary determining that an adequate arrival and departure control system is in place and that such a waiver does not pose a threat to the welfare, safety, or security of the United States or its territories. Visitors utilizing this waiver must agree to waive certain rights, including the right to review or appeal an immigration officer's admissibility determination or to contest removal, with limited exceptions. The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretaries of the Interior and State, is mandated to promulgate necessary regulations within one year of enactment. These regulations must include a listing of eligible countries, specifically considering member or associate member countries of the Caribbean Community, unless their inclusion poses a security risk or increases fraud. The bill also requires the establishment of an administrative processing fee to cover the full costs of the program's administration.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-5460
Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act of 2022

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-1033
Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act of 2023

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-407
Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act of 2019
Jan 13, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 13, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-5460
    Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act of 2022


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-1033
    Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act of 2023


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-407
    Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act of 2019


  • January 13, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 13, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Stacey E. Plaskett

Stacey E. Plaskett

Democratic Representative

Virgin Islands

Judiciary Committee

Immigration

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted