GRATEFUL Act

The GRATEFUL Act creates a dedicated visa allocation for foreign national employees of U.S. government agencies (like State, Defense, and USAID) who have completed at least 15 years of exceptional service abroad. It provides up to 3,500 visas in fiscal year 2024 and 3,000 annually after for these employees and their families, available only when regular visa categories are full. The bill does not reduce other visa programs but ensures these employees can immigrate with their families without waiting for regular category availability. It specifically targets long-serving foreign staff who support U.S. operations overseas, including security and diplomatic missions.