The effects of the very slow pace of the issuing of tourist visas to the US are now being felt in the cities of the US, and predictions are that if issuing continues at the same pace, there will be a loss of US$7 billion (R127 billion) in tourism this year alone.
Forty-four mayors from across the United States have sprung into action and sent a letter to Secretary of State, Antony Blinken,calling on the State Department to reduce visa interview wait times. These mayors want change and they want it fast.
Currently, the waiting time for would-be travellers from key international markets remains above approximately 400 days. In their letter, the mayors have called on the department to reduce the wait time for the top markets to 21 days - by April , reports USA Today.
Among those who signed the letter are the mayors of New York, Chicago, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Dallas, Las Vegas, Charlotte, San Francisco, Seattle, Nashville, New Orleans, Orlando, Houston, Miami and Ontario.
According to eTurbo News, although steps have already been taken to reduce the wait times, including opening consulates on certain Saturdays for additional visa processing and waiving interviews for low-risk renewals, more is needed.
The mayors made four recommendations to speed up visitor visa processing, including:
- Set clear timelines to restore efficient visa processing.
- Reinstate the Executive Order to provide interview appointments for 80% of non-immigrant visa applicants within 21 days or less by September 30.
- Increase consular staffing and resources in countries with a high volume of applicants and for large events in the US that draw international visitors.
- Extend interview waivers for non-immigrant visa renewals and apply waivers more broadly to renewal applicants who are considered low risk through 2024.
According to the US Travel Association, if the wait times are not reduced, businesses in the US will miss out on 2,6 million prospective visitors this year, representing a loss of US$7bn (R127bn) in spending.
According to President and CEO of the US Travel Association, Geoff Freeman, the main obstacle for the State Department is insufficient staffing following the COVID pandemic.
