[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E9-E10]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CREATION OF A ``RETIREE VISA''

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL McCOLLUM

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 1997

  Mr. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I am introducing legislation to create a 
retiree visa for various people who would like to spend some of their 
retirement years in the United States. Let me give you an example of 
how this will work by using August and Gerda Welz as an example.
  August and Gerda Welz have spend more than $380,000 in the United 
States since taking up a residence in Palm Coast, FL, 3 years ago. 
Native Germans, the Welzs saw Florida as an ideal place to spend their 
retirement years, with its pleasant climate and sound economy. They own 
a home, pay taxes, and volunteer in the community.
  What they did not realize, however, was how many problems they would 
encounter in meandering through the United States' immigration laws.
  To encourage more business and tourist travel to the United States, 
the Immigration and Naturalization Service established the Visa Waiver 
Pilot Program [VWPP], which has benefited many citizens from eligible 
countries. Narrow in scope, however, it only pertains to those who come 
to the United States for 90 days or less. Couples such as the Welzs 
represent the growing number of foreign travelers who wish to stay for 
an extended period of time or even retire in the United States. 
Unfortunately, they must still jump through an unreasonable number of 
hoops.
  Having to navigate through such a complex set of rules and 
regulations is an unnecessary disincentive to foreign tourists looking 
to retire in the United States. My legislation would help remedy this.
  The proposed visa would be available to citizens from those countries 
participating in the VWPP, as well as Canada. This diverse group 
includes countries such as Japan, Spain, and Germany. Applicants would 
have to be at least 55 years of age, own a residence in the United 
States, maintain health coverage, and receive income at least twice the 
Federal poverty level. The applicant would also be required to maintain 
a residence in his or her country of citizenship.
  Perhaps the most attractive feature is that the visa would be valid 
for up to 4 years, alleviating the burdensome expense of frequent 
travel. It would be renewable as long as the application was filed from 
the retiree's country of citizenship.
  Mr. Speaker, it is important to clarify that the proposed visa would 
only be available to non-immigrants, and would not provide work 
authorization or eligibility for any Federal means-tested programs. In 
its simplest terms, the visa would serve as a much needed mechanism in 
which foreign retirees would have the opportunity to comfortably reside 
in the United States.
  It goes without saying that ensuring proper immigration procedures is 
critical to our Nation's well-being. Still, there is absolutely no

[[Page E10]]

reason to discourage anyone from coming to Florida--or anywhere else in 
the United States--to retire.
  Foreign travelers supply a healthy boost to our economy, and are an 
important part of many of our communities. By simplifying the process 
for this unique group of retirees, this proposal would provide new and 
exciting opportunities to couples such as the Welzs--a practice that 
would benefit all parties involved.

                          ____________________