Congress has passed a bill that will make travel to Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation countries easier for American business and government travelers and sent it to President Barack Obama for his signature.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Cards Act of 2011 would enable U.S. travelers that have been screened, are not security risks and have an APEC card to have their visa requests reviewed faster, use the same customs lanes as air crews at airports and take multiple trips to the 21 APEC countries for three years without getting a new visa each time.

The APEC card is a tool the member nations came up with to make it easier for business people to move among participating countries.

APEC nations fully participating in the scheme include Australia, Brunei, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, Taipei, Thailand and Vietnam, according to the APEC website.

The bill passed the Senate unanimously late Thursday night after being approved by the Homeland Security committee on Oct. 19. The bill was approved by the House on Oct. 25.

The bill was introduced in the Senate on Aug. 2 by U.S. Sens. Daniel K. Akaka and Daniel K. Inouye of Hawaii and Maria Cantwell of Washington state. It was co-sponsored in the House by U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono.

"I applaud my colleagues in Congress for their swift action in approving this measure on the eve of the historic APEC summit meetings in Honolulu," Akaka said. "By facilitating partnerships among APEC economies, this program will help Hawaii and the rest of the United States to expand into growing Asian markets while creating jobs at home."

Inouye said that next week in Honolulu the U.S. will demonstrate it is committed to job creation and working with the country’s Asian counterparts to maximize opportunities for all nations.

"This job-creating legislation acknowledges the need to further engage emerging markets in Asia by providing for expedited travel between APEC nations," Inouye said. "I am certain policies of this nature will help guide discussions between participating APEC countries about creating new partnerships and diversifying long-standing agreements in order to grow our economies."

Hirono said the U.S. needs to preserve its economic strength by creating jobs and build opportunities in Hawaii and across the country.

"Our APEC partners are key collaborators in this needed growth," she said. "Promoting ease of travel among APEC partners will lead to greater prosperity at home and abroad."

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa said "as job creation remains a top priority, this legislation will help Hawaii build and strengthen important business partnerships with participating regional economies."

The APEC Business Travel Card program was started in 1997.