S 3440 — Temporary Family Visitation Act

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html December 11, 2025

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes a new nonimmigrant visa category for relatives of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, allowing entry for family purposes.

• 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(B)

  and who is visiting the United States temporarily for business or temporarily for pleasure; → and who is visiting the United States temporarily for-- (i) business; (ii) pleasure; or (iii) family purposes;

  This change expands the nonimmigrant visa category to include those visiting for family reasons.

• 8 U.S.C. 1184

  (s) Requirements Applicable to Family Purpose Visas.-- (1) Definitions.--In this subsection and section 101(a)(15)(B)(iii): (A) Family purposes.--The term `family purposes' means any visit by a relative for a social or occasional purpose, a major life event, a religious event, or for any other purpose. (B) Relative.--The term `relative' means the spouse, child, son, daughter, grandchild, parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, sibling, uncle, aunt, niece, or nephew of a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence. (2) Requirement.--A relative seeking admission pursuant to a visa issued under section 101(a)(15)(B)(iii) is inadmissible unless-- (A) the individual petitioning for such admission, or an additional sponsor, has submitted to the Secretary of Homeland Security an undertaking under section 213 in the form of a declaration of financial support; (B) such relative has obtained, for the duration of his or her stay in the United States, a short-term travel medical insurance policy or an existing health insurance policy that provides coverage for international medical expenses; and (C) such relative expresses intent to leave the United States at the conclusion of the period of authorized admission. (3) Period of authorized admission.--The period of authorized admission for a nonimmigrant described in section 101(a)(15)(B)(iii) shall not exceed 90 days per calendar year. (4) Petitioner eligibility.--An individual may not petition for the admission of a relative as a nonimmigrant described in section 101(a)(15)(B)(iii) if the individual previously petitioned for the admission of such a relative who-- (i) was admitted to the United States pursuant to a visa issued under that section as a result; and (ii) overstayed his or her period of authorized admission. (B) Previous petitioners.--An individual filing a declaration of financial support for the admission of a relative as a nonimmigrant described in section 101(a)(15)(B)(iii) who has previously provided a declaration of financial support for such a relative shall certify to the Secretary of Homeland Security that the relative whose admission the individual previously supported did not overstay his or her period of authorized admission or provide an explanation of why the relative's overstay was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the relative. A certification under this subparagraph shall be subject to section 1001 of title 18, United States Code. (C) Waiver.--The Secretary of Homeland Security may waive the application of section 212(a)(9)(B) in the case of a nonimmigrant described in section 101(a)(15)(B)(iii) who overstayed his or her period of authorized admission due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the nonimmigrant.

  This addition establishes specific requirements and definitions for the new family purpose nonimmigrant visa category.

• 8 U.S.C. 1258(a)(1)

  1) → (1) an alien classified as a nonimmigrant under subparagraph (B)(iii), (C), (D), (K), or (S) of section 101(a)(15),

  This change prevents nonimmigrants admitted under the newly established family purpose visa from changing their immigration status.

• 8 U.S.C. 1184(b)

  (1) In general.--Notwithstanding section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(b)), a nonimmigrant described in section 101(a)(15)(B)(iii) of that Act who has been classified as an immigrant under section 201 of that Act (8 U.S.C. 1151) and is awaiting the availability of an immigrant visa subject to the numerical limitations under section 203 of that Act (8 U.S.C. 1153) may be admitted pursuant to a family purpose visa, in accordance with section 214(s) of that Act, if the individual is otherwise eligible for admission. (2) Limitation.--An alien admitted as a nonimmigrant described in section 101(a)(15)(B)(iii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act shall not be considered to have been admitted to the United States for purposes of section 245(a) of that Act (8 U.S.C. 1255(a)).

  This addition allows certain immigrants awaiting their visas to also enter on a family purpose visa, while clarifying that this status does not count as admission for adjustment of status.

Action History

1. December 11, 2025

   Introduced in Senate

2. December 11, 2025

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Sponsors

• Rand Paul · Primary
• Richard Blumenthal · Cosponsor

Subjects