Georgia Chamber Calls for Meaningful Visa Reform to Protect Georgia’s Economic Future

ATLANTA – Today, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce issued a series of policy recommendations to reform the United States visa process. For decades, Georgia’s economic success has depended on a steady flow of talented, hardworking people from around the world. Without meaningful reform to the visa process, families and businesses across Georgia could see higher costs, and fewer opportunities.

Chris Clark, President & CEO of the Georgia Chamber said:

“For over 60 years Georgia has been a global destination for foreign direct investment, creating tens of thousands of jobs for hard working Georgians and we greatly value our global partners. Today, those companies and thousands of farmers and businesses across the state name workforce availability as one of the most significant challenges they face.

“Persistent and projected long-term labor shortages are slowing business growth and limiting opportunities for Georgians across the state. For generations, the economic success of Georgia and the United States has depended on a strong workforce development effort to prepare Georgians for careers of the future and a functioning immigration system that welcomes talented, innovative, and hardworking people from around the world to help drive prosperity. Today, that system is outdated and unresponsive to the needs of Georgia’s economy.

“Our state is working hard to prepare our students and citizens for new careers but without meaningful reform to the United States’ visa program, Georgia’s employers—especially our globally-headquartered firms--in industries ranging from agriculture to healthcare to construction and advanced manufacturing will continue to struggle to fill critical roles. This limits business growth and puts additional pressure on Georgia families through higher costs and reduced services.

“The Georgia Chamber and Georgia Chamber Foundation are committed to working with our partners through our Global Talent Initiative, Georgia’s congressional delegation, and the Trump Administration to drive actionable solutions to increase prosperity and grow our economy.”

The Georgia Chamber’s policy recommendations to reform the visa processes that will help sustain Georgia’s economic success are:

Modernize Employment-Based Visa Programs

The current U.S. visa system does not align with the year-round workforce needs of Georgia’s industries. Congress should expand and update visa programs to provide predictable and affordable legal channels for employers to hire the workers they need while protecting U.S. workers.

Improve Seasonal and Agricultural Worker Programs

Georgia’s agricultural sector depends on timely and reliable access to labor. The H-2A visa program, designed for seasonal needs, is overly complex, costly and insufficient. Policymakers should increase capacity, reduce red tape, and ensure growers can access the workforce required to harvest and deliver commodities, protecting Georgia’s role as a leader in U.S. agriculture.

Create Year-Round Guest Worker Options

Many industries, including food processing, hospitality, healthcare, and logistics, face permanent, not seasonal, labor shortages. Congress should create pathways for year-round guest workers so employers can meet demand while ensuring strong compliance, and clear rules for businesses.

Streamline and Modernize Processes

Georgia businesses need a system that is efficient, transparent, and predictable. Modernizing visa programs with improved digital systems, faster processing, and clear compliance rules will reduce uncertainty for both employers and workers, thereby strengthening Georgia’s competitiveness. 

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Founded in 1911 and incorporated in 1915, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce is the largest business advocacy organization in Georgia, working to protect free enterprise and secure our long-term economic prosperity. The Georgia Chamber represents tens of thousands of members in every corner of the state, with offices in Atlanta, Brunswick, and Tifton. In 2025 the Georgia Chamber launched Georgia|2050, a strategic plan to ensure Georgia remains a beacon of economic opportunity for the next 25 years. For more information visit gachamber.com.