Bill proposed to encourage more visitors from Hong Kong

WASHINGTON — A bill submitted to Congress on Thursday would allow visitors from Hong Kong to enter the United States without needing a visa, a move to spur more travelers from the well-to-do territory.

Hong Kong cannot by law be added to the U.S. visa waiver program because it is not a nation but a special administrative region of China, which is not recognized for visa waivers.

The bill would create an exception for the territory, which contains the fourth highest percentage of millionaire households in the world — more potential whales for Nevada casinos and moneyed tourists for other parts of the country.

Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev., the bill sponsor, said it is “fixing a technicality that places an unnecessary impediment between two of the world’s greatest economies — Hong Kong and the United States.”

Amodei added the relaxed visa rules would send a message the United States welcomes more business partnerships with Hong Kong as well.

Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., is a co-sponsor.

Visas were granted in 2011 for 129,000 visits from Hong Kong, according to Cathy Keefe, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Travel Association. She said visits customarily double in the first year after visa requirements are relaxed.

The U.S. government grants visa waivers to citizens of 37 countries, mostly from Western Europe and other friendly nations such as Japan and Australia. The waiver allows visitors to travel in the United States without a visa for up to 90 days.

Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760. Follow him on Twitter @STetreaultDC.