As the leading advocate for the $1.3 trillion travel industry, U.S. Travel is dedicated to advancing policies that address key industry challenges, innovate and improve the travel experience and grow all segments of the industry. Below is an overview of our legislative priorities—shaped by research, conversations with industry leaders and work alongside our nation's lawmakers—and the latest progress we've made on each.

Lower Visa Wait Times

  • Achieved a critical breakthrough in visa access by adding one million new appointments globally, which will lower wait times to 90 days or less for most visitors. Also, secured $50 million in funding for the U.S. Department of State to slash visitor visa interview wait times.
  • Secured language in the House Appropriations bill report requiring the State Department to report their plan to lower first-time visitor visa wait times to 30-days or less for 80% of embassies and consulates by the end of FY2025. U.S. Travel is advocating for similar language in the Senate report.
  • Met with the Department of State and administration officials to discuss ways to better communicate the government’s strategy to reduce first-time visitor visa interview wait times and highlight the improvements that could result from a greater focus where wait times are particularly high.
  • Secured an extension of the visa interview waiver authority for low-risk applicants, following a letter U.S. Travel sent to the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security.

Lower Customs Wait Times

  • Secured language in the House DHS Appropriations report that would encourage CBP to use technology, specifically Enhanced Primary Processing (EPP), to more efficiently process low-risk travelers. U.S. Travel is working to secure the same in the Senate report

Fully Fund the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism

  • Secured funding for the office of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism, following months of persistent advocacy. The Assistant Secretary will play a valuable role in coordinating across the government to help innovate travel facilitation and address persistent challenges that stand in the way of growth.
  • Secured language in the House Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations report to direct the International Trade Administration (ITA) to establish the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism.

Advance Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization

  • Passed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which included measures to address delays, cancellations and other travel hassles by modernizing air traffic control technology, boosting the air traffic control workforce and investing in improvements to the U.S. airports and air travel system. 
  • Defeated a harmful amendment to the FAA reauthorization bill through grassroots and grasstops advocacy efforts. The amendment would have blocked TSA’s use of automated facial recognition technology at airport checkpoints, which is in use at many of the largest and busiest airports in the U.S.

Increase Available H-2B Visas

  • Secured language in the House DHS Appropriations bill allowing the Department of Homeland Security to release supplemental visas when the needs of seasonal businesses cannot be filled with U.S. workers.

Build Travel Champions in the House and Senate

  • Through 24 Travel Works and Power Hour events in 2024, U.S. Travel continues to deepen the bench of Congressional Travel Champions—members who are engaged in U.S. Travel’s advocacy work and intimately understand the industry’s importance to their states and districts.