Thumbs Up: Biden administration lauded for enhancing U.S. international travel

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, released the following statement regarding the extension of visa interview waiver authority for low-risk applicants by the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security. The original expiration date for this authority was December 31.

The visa interview waiver authority allows consular officers to use their discretion in exempting certain low-risk nonimmigrant visa applicants from in-person interviews. These eligible applicants have previously visited the U.S. and undergo the same rigorous background checks and screening as all nonimmigrant applicants. Failure to extend this waiver authority would have led to significantly increased wait times for 40% of visa applicants, resulting in billions of dollars in lost traveler spending for the U.S. economy.

“Visa interview waivers for low-risk travelers play a crucial role in safeguarding the American economy and alleviating the visa backlog that has impeded the growth of international inbound travel to the United States.

“Despite nearly four years passing since the onset of the pandemic, the United States continues to welcome 13 million fewer visitors than in 2019, primarily due to persistently high visa interview wait times—currently averaging over 400 days in key source markets. The extension of the visa interview waiver authority represents a significant stride in enhancing global competitiveness and fostering a more seamless and secure travel experience.

“Through this extension, the Biden administration averted the loss of 64 million visitors and $215 billion in spending over the next decade. In 2024 alone, the U.S. is projected to retain an additional 2.2 million visitors and $5.9 billion in traveler spending that would have otherwise been lost without this extension.

“U.S. Travel commends the Departments of State and Homeland Security for their commitment to maintaining security, removing barriers, and promoting the growth of international inbound travel.”

Last month, the U.S. Travel Association sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, urging them to extend the visa interview waiver authority.

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