Delays in processing visitor visas is keeping an estimated 6.6 million potential arrivals from travelling to the US at a loss of $11.6 billion, new analysis reveals.
Wait times for visitor visa interviews now exceed 400 days for first-time applicants from top source markets, described by the US Travel Association as an “immense deterrent” that is undercutting America’s global competitiveness.
The trade body warned that the US Department of State’s low prioritisation of visitor visa (B-1/B-2) processing is severely hindering the country’s economic recovery.
Spending losses from just three top markets – Brazil, India and Mexico – could total more than $5 billion in 2023.
The US Department of Commerce’s newly released national travel and economic strategy identifies inbound travel as an economic priority and sets a national goal of welcoming 90 million international visitors by 2027.
But the State Department’s lack of urgency on this issue is in direct conflict with the Commerce Department’s objectives, the US Travel Association argues.
While progress in processing other visa categories – such as H-2B and student visas – first-time applicants for visitor visas are “neglected” by the agency.
UK travellers to the US can enter via the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) visa waiver scheme but the cost was tripled from $7 to $21 in May.
ESTA allows travellers from 40 countries participating in the visa waiver programme to enter the US for stays of up to 90 days without having to acquire a visa.
US Customs data shows ESTA applications slumped to just 1.2 million last year from 6.3 million in 2020 and a 15.1 million high in pre-pandemic 2019.
US Travel Association president and chief executive Geoff Freeman said: “Outrageous wait times send a message to travellers that the United States is closed for business.
“Unacceptable visa delays are harming the American workforce and it is long past time for the Biden administration to solve the problem.
“Excessive visa delays are essentially a travel ban – no one is going to wait one-two years to interview with a US government official to gain permission to visit the United States.
“Our new research shows that millions of potential visitors will simply choose other destinations – destinations that effectively compete for their business.”
He added: “With a recession looming on the horizon, the United States simply cannot afford to turn away billions of dollars in visitor spending.
“The Obama administration effectively addressed a similar problem and we call on the Biden administration to do the same.”