In a significant move, the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security have extended the visa interview waiver authority for low-risk applicants, a crucial decision given the impending expiration on Dec. 31. The U.S. Travel Association, alongside other leaders in the travel industry, actively advocated for the extension of this authority.

The visa interview waiver authority grants consular officers the discretion to waive in-person interviews for low-risk nonimmigrant visa applications. The U.S. Travel Association stressed the importance of this extension, highlighting that the failure to do so would have led to a substantial increase in wait times for approximately 40% of visa applicants, potentially resulting in billions of dollars in lost visitor spending for the U.S. economy.

U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman emphasized, “Visa interview waivers for low-risk travelers are critical to protecting the American economy and reducing the pandemic-era visa backlog that has hindered the growth of international inbound travel to the United States.”

Freeman provided context by stating that, currently, the U.S. is receiving 13 million fewer visitors than it did in 2019, just before the onset of the COVID pandemic. He attributed much of this decline to persistently high visa interview wait times, currently averaging more than 400 days in top source markets. Freeman asserted that extending visa interview waiver authority is a significant step towards increasing global competitiveness and promoting a more seamless and secure travel experience.

According to U.S. Travel, the Biden administration's decision to extend the visa waiver authority prevents the potential loss of 64 million visitors and $215 billion in spending over the next decade. In 2024 alone, the U.S. is expected to retain an additional 2.2 million visitors and $5.9 billion in traveler spending that would have been lost without the extension.

The U.S. Travel Association extends its appreciation to the Departments of State and Homeland Security for their efforts in maintaining security, dismantling barriers, and fostering growth in international inbound travel. Notably, the association and industry leaders had actively lobbied for the extension, recognizing the critical role that visa interview waivers play in sustaining the American economy and facilitating international travel growth.