[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 2 (Thursday, January 7, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E60-E61]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RETIREE VISA ACT OF 1999

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL McCOLLUM

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 6, 1999

  Mr. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to 
create a 4-year non-immigrant visa to allow various people to spend 
some of their retirement years in the United States. This legislation 
is meant to make it easier for individuals who already enjoy the 
ability to spend time in the U.S. to have a 4-year non-immigrant visa 
to allow them to spend larger periods of time here.
  Currently, Canadians may stay continuously in the United States for 6 
months each year without a passport or visa. Visitors from countries 
participating in the Visa Waiver Pilot Program (VWPP) can stay in the 
U.S. continuously for a 90-day period without a visa. Since this visa 
is only intended for retirees, applicants would have to be at least 55 
years of age to qualify.
  The fact that these individuals can, in some ways, already spend some 
of their retirement in the U.S. reinforces the fact that this 
legislation is merely meant to reduce some of the procedural hurdles 
which currently deter foreign retirees from spending additional time 
here. For example, many German citizens use the Visa Waiver Pilot 
Program to come to

[[Page E61]]

Florida for 90 days at a time. Many of these individuals would like to 
spend more than 90 days in the U.S. but are scrupulous about not 
overstaying their visit. These foreign retirees leave the U.S. within 
90 days, spend some time in their country and then come back to the 
United States for another 90 days. Many of these individuals may end up 
spending a large amount of time in the U.S. using the VWPP but they can 
do so only by constantly going back and forth from their country to the 
United States. Of course, foreign citizens also use the B-2 visitors 
visa to spend time for pleasure in the U.S. Again, the use of the B-2 
visa requires the holder to return to their home after a relatively 
short period of time before coming back to the U.S.
  The 4-year visa period proposed in the legislation is intended to 
reduce the need for foreign retirees to frequently travel back and 
forth from the U.S. to their home country in order to comply with U.S. 
immigration requirements. At the same time, a 4-year period would 
ensure that retirees making use of this visa do go home periodically to 
renew their status by demonstrating that they meet the requirements 
outlined in this proposal, such as residence in a foreign country which 
the alien has no intention of abandoning. The visa would be renewable 
as long as the application was filed from the retiree's country of 
citizenship.
  Mr. Speaker, there are clearly important practical and policy 
distinctions between long-term nonimmigrants and permanent residents 
holding green cards. This legislation does not aim to change that. For 
example, an important distinction between these nonimmigrant foreign 
retirees and permanent residents is that the amount of time they spend 
in the United States would not accrue for naturalization purposes. 
Also, a green card confers important benefits on permanent residents, 
such as the ability to engage in employment or receive government aid, 
which would not be available to a nonimmigrant under this legislation. 
This bill would not provide work authorization or eligibility for any 
Federal means-tested programs. Instead, these nonimmigrants would be 
required to own a residence in the United States, maintain health 
coverage, and receive income at least twice the Federal poverty level.
  In its simplest terms, this visa would serve as a much needed 
mechanism in which foreign retirees would have the opportunity to 
comfortably reside 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 spent more than $380,000 in the United States since 
taking up a residence in Palm Coast, Florida three years ago. Native 
Germans, the Welz's 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. Couples, such as the 
Welz's, represent the growing number of foreign retirees who wish to 
stay for an extended period of time in the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, by simplifying the process for this unique group of 
retirees, this legislation would provide new and exciting opportunities 
for foreign retirees--a practice that would benefit all parties 
involved. There is no reason to discourage such individuals from 
spending some of their retirement years in the U.S., contributing to 
the economy and enhancing our communities.
  I urge my colleagues to support this proposal.

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