Salazar and Kamlager-Dove Introduce Legislation to Simplify Visa Processing

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) introduced H.R. 9545, the Visa Processing Improvement and Paperwork Reduction Act.

Currently, our visa application and processing systems are outdated, duplicative, and waste crucial resources. This legislation will save the State Department countless hours of labor and thousands of dollars in postage and paper by keeping federal communications about visa applications online. It will also reduce requirements on families to mail physical copies of documents that have already been submitted online.

“We have an opportunity to both improve government efficiency and reduce the burden on individuals navigating our complex immigration system,” said Rep. Salazar. “The Visa Processing Improvement and Paperwork Reduction Act will save the State Department tons of time and money so they can process visa applications quicker and easier.”

The Visa Processing Improvement and Paperwork Reduction Act streamlines the visa processing system by eliminating the requirement to mail all signed communications from the applicant and from the Agency that are already sent electronically.

“Excessive visa wait times have long plagued our broken immigration system, causing unnecessary heartache for many applicants,” said Rep. Kamlager-Dove. “Digitizing more aspects of the visa application process will eliminate redundant paperwork, speeding up visa processing times and reducing burdens on applicants. Simple reforms like this legislation can have outsized impacts on the immigration process. I am proud to partner with Representative Salazar to advance commonsense solutions in our immigration system.”

Previously, Reps. Salazar and Kamlager-Dove collaborated on the GRATEFUL Act, which was signed into law in 2023. This policy provided visas for locally employed U.S. embassy staff to immigrate to the U.S. after a career of service to the United States. These staff are critical to our diplomacy abroad, and securing this reform allows us to continue retaining and rewarding the best and brightest that serve the United States and advance our interests abroad.

To read the full text of the bill, click here. To read a short summary of the legislation, click here.

Congresswoman Salazar proudly represents Florida’s 27th congressional district in the House of Representatives, which includes Miami, its suburbs, and beaches.

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