Latter-day Saint Life

Sen. Orrin Hatch Proposes Bill to Speed Up Missionary Visa Applications

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"Missionary service is the lifeblood for many churches across the nation, yet long and unpredictable visa delays are taking a toll on those who have answered the call to serve," Senator Orrin Hatch told the Deseret News after proposing a bill Wednesday that would help missionaries and volunteers of all faiths get their visas faster.

Senator Hatch, a member of the Church, proposed to speed up the international visa processing time  for missionaries by allowing religious organizations to participate in a streamlined blanket petition procedure.

Currently, churches need approval for a nonimmigrant visa before a missionary can receive their visa, a process that can take six to nine months.

However, this new bill could potentially cut that time down to a matter of weeks. And, since the Church has the largest missionary program in the world, this new bill would no doubt help the missionaries coming and going into the MTC.

Lead image from Getty Images.
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