Applicants for visas to visit the United States are seeing wait times improve dramatically, and more countries are being added to the government’s visa waiver list.
A few years ago, waiting for an interview appointment to apply for a visa could take up to 120 days. By increasing staffing in many of the areas most affected, including China and Brazil, many of those waits have been cut significantly, the government says. In Bangkok, citizens can get an interview in 15 days. From Amsterdam, it’s 23 days. Buenos Aires residents only have to wait two days.
“Facilitating travel to the United States from legitimate visitors is one of our highest priorities,” said Ed Ramotowski, deputy assistant secretary of the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs.
The international travel industry generates more than US$168 billion in economic activity for the country each year, and overseas visitors spend an average of $4,500 per trip.
In fiscal 2012, the State Department issued almost 9 million visas worldwide, an increase of nearly 19%. In China and Brazil, the demand increased 34%.
Those numbers are expected to increase as the government continues to expand the Visa Waiver Program, which currently numbers 37 countries. Taiwan joined in November 2012, making it the newest country added. Most of Europe is in the program, as are major Asia-Pacific nations such as Japan, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. Chile recently was nominated for inclusion.
The program allows citizens of participating countries to travel to the United States visa-free for stays of up to 90 days for business or pleasure.
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