A bill presented by U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) that expedites the visa process for American business and government personnel traveling to the Asia-Pacific region was signed into law today.
President Obama signed the Business Travel Cards Act at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Hawaii this morning. Larsen said in a statement that the law will especially benefit companies in Northwest Washington that conduct a majority of their overseas business in the Asia-Pacific region.
Foreign travel card holders in 18 other economies already have access to the expedited visa processing and designated airport travel lanes that are part of the bill for American travelers, a press release from Larsen’s office said.
“This travel card will level the playing field for American business people traveling overseas, giving them the same expedited travel benefits that foreign travel card holders enjoy when they come to the United States,” Larsen said in a statement.