by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 9:30 AM ET, Wed October 30, 2024
U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo held a joint press conference on October 29, celebrating the work of both organizations to reduce the visa wait times for international travelers and passport processing times for American citizens, and encouraging the U.S. travel industry’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The United States issued a record number of passports during the nation’s 2024 fiscal year: it issued 24.5 million passport books and cards, up half a million from 2023. One million travelers have already renewed their passports with the new online passport renewal program which launched in September.
Meanwhile, the nation’s passport processing times are also at a post-pandemic low: in early October, the U.S. Department of State reported that wait times are now between 4-6 weeks. By comparison, passport processing wait times were between 8-11 weeks in October 2023.
The U.S. also issued a record-breaking number of visas, with 11.5 million visas issued, 8.5 million of which were visitor visas, a ten percent increase from 2023. Additionally, wait times have been reduced, with the median wait time for a first-time-visitor visa interview under 60 days, which is a 60 percent reduction in wait time from the worst part of the pandemic.
“This is a matter for real people, real lives, enabling families to get together, enabling businesses to work together, enabling investors to do the work that’s helping to grow our economies around the world, and bringing people together for the most joyous things that unite us – sports, arts, culture, science and technology,” said Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Visa wait times have been an important issue for travel industry organizations: the U.S. Travel Association has advocated that the U.S. government reduce wait times to encourage a full post-pandemic recovery for years. In 2023, the nation welcomed 50 million international travelers; this year, it welcomed 66 million. Yet in 2019, the nation welcomed 79 million.
In March, the government passed legislation to improve visa wait times, which were, for travelers from some countries, at around 400 to 600 days.
“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,” said USTA’s CEO, Geoff Freeman. “...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.”
The goals for next year include adding one million more visa appointments. Gina Raimondo, Secretary of Commerce, predicted the travel industry in the U.S. will reach a full recovery in 2025. The nation is expected to welcome 90 million international travelers by 2026, a full year ahead of the nation's goal.
"People are often saying: What is the government doing for me? This is an example of the State Department working with the Commerce Department hand in glove, fixing something…” Said Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo. “Maybe it isn’t glamorous, but the work that our teams did is making a difference in the lives of Americans and improving our economy – by just making it easier, working through the plumbing and the red tape to get it out of the way, to streamline the visa and travel process.”
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