§ 4502 : PREMIUM PROCESSING

Section 221(8 U.S.C. 1201) is amended by inserting at the end the following:

j.

PREMIUM PROCESSING.—

1.

PILOT PROCESSING SERVICE.—Recognizing that the best solution for expedited processing is low interview wait times for all applicants, the Secretary of State shall nevertheless establish, on a limited, pilot basis only, a fee-based premium processing service to expedite interview appointments. In establishing a pilot processing service, the Secretary may—

A.

determine the consular posts at which the pilot service will be available;

B.

establish the duration of the pilot service;

C.

define the terms and conditions of the pilot service, with the goal of expediting visa appointments and the interview process for those electing to pay said fee for the service; and

D.

resources permitting, during the pilot service, consider the addition of consulates in locations advantageous to foreign policy objectives or in highly populated locales.

2.

FEES.—

A.

AUTHORITY TO COLLECT.—The Secretary of State is authorized to collect, and set the amount of, a fee imposed for the premium processing service. The Secretary of State shall set the fee based on all relevant considerations including, the cost of expedited service.

B.

USE OF FEES.—Fees collected under the authority of subparagraph (A) shall be deposited as an offsetting collection to any Department of State appropriation, to recover the costs of providing consular services. Such fees shall remain available for obligation until expended.

C.

RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER FEES.— Such fee is in addition to any existing fee currently being collected by the Department of State.

D.

NONREFUNDABLE.—Such fee will be nonrefundable to the applicant.

3.

DESCRIPTION OF PREMIUM PROCESSING.—Premium processing pertains solely to the expedited scheduling of a visa interview. Utilizing the premium processing service for an expedited interview appointment does not establish the applicant’s eligibility for a visa. The Secretary of State shall, if possible, inform applicants utilizing the premium processing of potential delays in visa issuance due to additional screening requirements, including necessary security-related checks and clearances.

4.

REPORT TO CONGRESS.—

A.

REQUIREMENT FOR REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of the JOLT Act of 2013, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the results of the pilot service carried out under this section.

B.

APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS DEFINED.—In this paragraph, the term appropriate committees of Congress means—

i.

the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and

ii.

the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.