The GRATEFUL Act creates more visa opportunities for foreign workers who have spent at least 15 years employed by the U.S. government overseas. Currently, there's a limited number of these special immigrant visas available each year, and this bill increases that limit. Starting in 2024, up to 3,500 additional visas will be made available, and 3,000 per year after that. These visas also extend to the worker's spouse and children, allowing entire families to immigrate if the State Department determines it's in the national interest. The bill essentially recognizes long-term loyalty by U.S. government employees abroad and gives them a clearer path to permanent residency. One side effect is that the bill adjusts how diversity visas (which go to people from countries with lower immigration rates to the U.S.) are calculated each year—the new special immigrant visas will now be factored into that calculation, which could slightly reduce the number of diversity visas available annually.

GRATEFUL Act

Van Hollen, Chris

Granting Recognition to Accomplished Talented Employees For Unwavering Loyalty Act or the GRATEFUL Act This bill makes additional visas available under a program that provides special immigrant visas to eligible foreign nationals who were employed by the U.S. government abroad. The bill also modifies a provision that reduces the number of diversity immigrant visas available each fiscal year. Generally, under this program, a foreign national (and their spouse and children) may receive a special immigrant visa if (1) the foreign national has been employed by the U.S. government abroad for at least 15 years, and (2) the Department of State has found that it is in the national interest to award the visa. There are a limited number of such visas available each fiscal year. Specifically, this bill makes additional special immigrant visas available if no visas are immediately available. Up to 3,500 additional visas shall be made available for FY2024, and up to 3,000 shall be made available in each subsequent fiscal year. The bill also modifies a provision related to the annual cap on diversity immigrant visas (i.e., visas awarded to nationals of countries with low rates of immigration to the United States). Current law reduces the number of such visas available each fiscal year based in part on the number of visas awarded under another program. Under this bill, the reduction in the number of diversity immigrant visas shall also take into consideration the number of special immigrant visas awarded under this bill.