Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV) and Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) today reintroduced the Visa Improvement, Streamlined Investment, and Tourism Optimization Reform (VISITOR) Act to improve visa processing capabilities at U.S. consular posts and stimulate international tourism to the United States. 

“Southern Nevada is the home of one of the world’s leading tourism economies and is a destination for thousands of international travelers each year,” said Rep. Titus, Co-Chair of the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus. “Unfortunately, excessive wait times for visas at high-volume consular posts around the world deter tourists from visiting the United States. With the Trump tariffs already causing a downturn in international tourism, we need to make it easier for tourists to come to the U.S., not harder.” 

“America should be the easiest choice for legitimate travelers who want to visit, spend, and experience everything our country has to offer,” said Rep. Salazar. “In South Florida, we know what international visitors mean for our restaurants, hotels, small businesses, and local economy. I’m proud to co-lead the VISITOR Act, which modernizes visa processing, reduces delays, and helps ensure timely interviews for qualified applicants, because a system that works better means more people choosing America and more opportunity here at home.”

"The 2026 World Cup demonstrated that when America invests in the travel experience, the benefits extend far beyond a single event. Congress should build on that momentum,” said Geoff Freeman, president and CEO, U.S. Travel. “The VISITOR Act will help reduce visa wait times, modernize processing and make it easier for legitimate international visitors to choose the United States. By reinvesting existing visa fees into the systems that support travel, this legislation will boost America’s competitiveness, grow our economy and strengthen our position as the world’s premier travel destination. We thank Representatives Titus and Salazar for their bipartisan leadership and urge Congress to advance this important legislation.”

The VISITOR Act is supported by the U.S. Travel Association.

Background

The Visa Improvement, Streamlined Investment, and Tourism Optimization Reform (VISITOR) Act will allow greater flexibility for the Consular Affairs Bureau at the U.S. State Department to use the money collected from passport and visa fees to address the massive backlog in processing tourist visas at various consular posts overseas.

In some nations, such as Canada, Colombia and India, wait times often are 6-12 months and can be as long as two years. 

With funds collected from passport and visa fees in the VISITOR Act, Consular Affairs will be able to make needed technological upgrades at posts, hire more personnel to conduct visa adjudications, and build out visa processing infrastructure at high-volume sites.