HR 5534
To add the Republic of Korea to the E-3 nonimmigrant visa program.
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to add the Republic of Korea to the E-3 nonimmigrant visa program, allowing Korean nationals to apply for these visas. It requires employers to participate in the E-Verify program and establishes a quota system for initial applications based on the number approved for Australian nationals in the previous fiscal year. The changes are designed to provide reciprocal visa opportunities between the United States and South Korea.
Key provisions
- Adds the Republic of Korea to the E-3 nonimmigrant visa program.
- Requires employers to be participants in the E-Verify program.
- Establishes a numerical quota for initial applications from Korean nationals.
- The quota is based on the number of applications approved for Australian nationals in the prior fiscal year.
- Spouses and children of principal aliens are excluded from the numerical limitations.
- The effective date is 180 days after enactment.
Who is affected
- Korean Nationals
- US Employers
- US Government (specifically the Department of State)
- Australian Nationals
Notable changes
- Creates a reciprocal visa agreement between the U.S. and South Korea.
- Introduces a quota system for Korean E-3 visa applications.
- Mandates E-Verify participation for employers sponsoring Korean E-3 visa holders.
Sponsors
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Primary sponsor
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 5534
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To add the Republic of Korea to the E–3 nonimmigrant visa program.
Section 101(a)(15)(E)(iii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(E)(iii)) is amended by inserting or, on a basis of reciprocity and pursuant to an agreement as determined by the Secretary of State, a national of the Republic of Korea,
after Australia
.
Section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182) is amended—
by redesignating the second subsection (t) (as added by section 1(b)(2)(B) of Public Law 108–449 (118 Stat. 3470)) as subsection (u); and
by adding at the end of subsection (t)(1) (as added by section 402(b)(2) of Public Law 108–77 (117 Stat. 941)) the following:
In the case of an attestation filed with respect to a national of the Republic of Korea described in section 101(a)(15)(E)(iii), the employer is, and will remain during the period of authorized employment of such Republic of Korea national, a participant in good standing in the E-Verify program described in section 403(a) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1324a note).
Paragraph (11) of section 214(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(11)) is amended to read as follows:
The Secretary of State may approve initial applications submitted for aliens described in section 101(a)(15)(E)(iii) only as follows:
For applicants who are nationals of the Commonwealth of Australia, not more than 10,500 for a fiscal year.
For applicants who are nationals of the Republic of Korea, not more than a number equal to the difference between 10,500 and the number of applications approved in the prior fiscal year for aliens who are nationals of the Commonwealth of Australia.
The approval of an application described under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be deemed for numerical control purposes to have occurred on September 30 of the prior fiscal year.
The numerical limitation under subparagraph (A) shall only apply to principal aliens and not to the spouses or children of such aliens.
This Act shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.