The U.S. travel industry recovering with visa processing ahead of major events: What new you need to know?

The $1.3 trillion U.S. travel industry is on track for a faster recovery than anticipated, thanks to slashed visa processing times and streamlined travel measures aimed at welcoming international visitors.

In a joint announcement on October 29, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo highlighted recent efforts to reduce visa processing delays, which have long hindered the recovery of U.S. tourism post-COVID-19. With international arrivals to the U.S. reaching only 84% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2023, this is a critical shift. In contrast, global competitors like France and Spain surpassed 2019 visitation levels the same year. One of the primary obstacles: extended visa processing times at U.S. embassies worldwide.

Record Visa Issuance and Reduced Wait TimesIn the fiscal year leading up to September 30, the U.S. State Department issued a record-breaking 11.5 million visas, 8.5 million of which were visitor visas. The median wait time for first-time visa interview appointments has dropped dramatically, from over 400 days to just 60 days, Blinken reported. Plans are in place to increase visa appointments by an additional 1 million in 2025. This improvement is expected to boost U.S. travel, with forecasts projecting pre-pandemic levels of 79.4 million visitors by next year, and a potential 90 million visitors by 2026—a milestone initially expected for 2027.

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