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Rep. Joe Heck (R–NV) has introduced the Welcoming Business Travelers and Tourists to America Act of 2011 (H.R. 3039), which would increase fees imposed on travelers entering the United States as a method of speeding up the processing of travel document applications. The revenue from increased fees would fund State Department staffing increases designed to streamline and accelerate visa processing, thereby increasing tourism into the United States. Highlights of H.R. 3039 include the following:

• The State Department must set a visa processing standard of 12 or fewer calendar days at U.S diplomatic or consular missions in Brazil, India and China, and increase staffing levels.
• The State Department must conduct a two-year pilot program on using secure, remote video-conferencing technology to conduct visa application interviews.
• The Secretary of State would be permitted to modify or enter into agreements with certain countries to allow for longer visa validity periods.

According to the bill’s legislative findings, over the past decade the United States lost the opportunity to generate $606 billion in revenue through tourism. Moreover, increasing tourism by shortening the nonimmigrant visa approval timeline could permit an additional 98 million visitors, create 1.3 million jobs, and generate $859 billion in U.S. economic output between 2015 and 2020. Additionally, the findings contend that removing these barriers will benefit U.S. diplomatic relations.

Photo credit: Dx73

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The U.S. State Department announced that the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, and four other consular offices in other Chinese cities, will be open on Saturdays to accommodate Chinese nationals seeking to visit the United States. The extended hours are intended to decrease the wait time for visa appointments. Last year, 487,000 visas were issued to Chinese nationals, two-thirds of which were for business and tourism. For 2010, to date, the number of visa applications received is 28% higher than at this time last year.

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The Department of Homeland Security has published a final rule in the Federal Register designating Greece an eligible country for the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Beginning April 5, 2010, Greek nationals can visit the United States for tourism or business for 90 days or less without obtaining a visa before arrival. However, VWP travelers must comply with Electronic System for Travel Authorization requirements by obtaining travel authorization prior to arriving in the United States and must submit biometric information upon arrival, as required by US-VISIT.

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Over the past few years, the number of individuals using “trusted traveler” programs has increased, reports USA Today. These programs offer members the ability to expeditiously clear customs. The membership fee runs from $50 to $122.50 depending on the program, and membership lasts for five years. To qualify, applicants must pass a government-run background check (including fingerprint submission), a process that takes four to six weeks. Individuals with criminal records or who have violated immigration laws are ineligible.

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