Oct 30, 2024
Effort will enable visa wait times of 90 days for the vast majority of visitors
U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman issued the following statement on the Biden administration's announcement of goals for travel and tourism in 2025:
“We applaud the Biden administration for taking important steps to welcome international visitors. The United States will be a more competitive destination by adding one million visa appointments that will enable visa wait times of 90 days for the vast majority of visitors.
The administration’s actions are in the best interest of our country and our economy, especially as we prepare to host World Cup games in 11 U.S. cities that will attract as many as 6 million international visitors to the United States, as well as other major upcoming events.
The travel industry commends Secretaries Blinken and Raimondo and appreciates the tremendous efforts to make much-needed progress. As U.S. Travel has long stated, announcing a formal processing goal and prioritizing the reduction of visa wait times will allow the United States to be far more globally competitive for decades to come.”
Why it matters: As we prepare to welcome as many as six million visitors for the 2026 World Cup games, this ambitious goal will reduce wait times by: (1) Ensuring smooth visa processing; (2) Embedding staff from the State Department into local offices in Los Angeles to strengthen local relationships and collaboration; and (3) Directing the Tourism Policy Council to create a subcommittee on sporting events to facilitate greater coordination for future bids and large-scale opportunities.
The bottom line: This effort positions the United States for unmatched success as we enter a decade packed with major sporting events—strengthening our industry and ensuring our nation remains the top travel destination in the world.