The Problem

America's burdensome visa process drives millions of international visitors to other countries at an enormous cost to our industry and the nation’s economy.

Why You Should Care

By enacting smarter visa policy, the U.S. stands to welcome millions of additional international visitors who will spend billions of dollars supporting the economy - in our destinations, at our hotels, at our restaurants, etc.  Recapturing America's historic share of worldwide overseas travel would create up to 1.3 million U.S. jobs by 2020 and produce $859 billion in cumulative additional economic output.

See what others are saying about the need for visa reform.
Learn more about the issue. 

What You Can Do

1. Send an email or use our call script to contact your Representative and Seantors and urge them to ensure that visa reform is included in the final version of the Fiscal Year 2012 State Department funding bill.
2. Schedule a meeting with your Representative and Senators and urge them to get behind smarter visa reform.  Be sure to provide them with our Visa Reform leave behind and U.S. Travel Answer Sheet.
3. Spread the word! Send an action alert to your employees and colleagues asking them to call or write their legislators. Use our resources below to activate your networks.

Download our Talking Points and become knowledgeable on the issue.

Pending Legislation

View a Chart of All Pending Legislation

The Visa Waiver Program Enhanced Security and Reform Act

Introduced by Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) in the Senate (S.2046), and Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL 5) in the House (H.R.3855), the Visa Waiver Program Enhanced Security and Reform Act aims to update and modernize the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and allow new countries such as Brazil, Chile and Poland the opportunity to qualify. The VWP permits business and leisure travelers from 36 participating countries to visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa. Entrance of just Brazil and Chile into the VWP for example, would likely double visitation quickly from these countries, thus generating $10.3 billion in export revenues and supporting 95,100 American jobs.

Take Acton Now – Email Your Senators
Take Action Now – Email Your Representative
Download our Action Alert with Template Letter and Call Script
Current Cosponsors in the Senate and House

VISIT USA Act

Introduced by Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), the VISIT USA Act would make improvements to the international visa system by allowing Chinese nationals to receive five-year multiple-entry visitor visas, expanding the visa waiver program, piloting videoconferencing for visa interviews, creating a premium, expedited visa application process, and creating a new visa for an individual who spends at least $500,000 to purchase a home in the U.S.

Learn more about the VISIT USA Act.

Welcoming Business Travelers and Tourists to America Act of 2011

Introduced by Congressman Joe Heck (R-NV-3), H.R. 3039, the "Welcoming Business Travelers and Tourists to America Act of 2011" will reduce barriers in the U.S. visa system that are currently discouraging international visitors from doing business and traveling here. Among the key highlights of the bill is setting a standard that requires the State Department to process visas within 12 days, and implementing a program that utilizes videoconferencing technology for conducting visa interviews.

Take Action Now - Email your Representative
Download our Action Alert with Template Letter and Call Script
Current Cosponsors
Section by Section Summary 

The International Travel Facilitation Act

Introduced by Tourism Caucus Co-Chairs Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Roy Blunt (R-MO), the "International Tourism Facilitation Act" (S. 1653) calls on the State Department to use its consular resources more effectively to better respond to the rising international travel demand.  While the State Department currently has a goal of interviewing all visa applicants within 30 days of their application, it has often failed to meet this standard in key markets like China, India and Brazil.

Take Action Now- Email your Senators
Download our Action Alert with Template Letter and Call Script
Current Cosponsors

FY 2012 State, Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill

In December 2011, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 which included significant victories related to the visa system.  Included in the Act were provisions which will lead to reductions in visa wait times, extending visa validity periods, and will help create a secure videoconferencing system for visa interviews.  Thank you to everyone who called or sent an email to their elected officials in support of this legislation.

October 5th "Smarter Visa Policy Now" Webinar Slides

Download the Powerpoint Slides from the webinar which also include our talking points. Still have questions? Email us at travelcoalition@ustravel.org