The U.S. Department of State has made significant progress in reducing visa wait times to pre-pandemic levels, according to Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma. Speaking at the Skift Global Forum, Verma highlighted the department’s efforts to manage an unprecedented surge in visa demand, though certain countries like Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and India continue to face extended wait times for first-time visa applicants.
“We’ve managed to bring visa wait times down for many, but some of our key markets are still seeing delays,” Verma said. “The demand has been remarkable, which is a positive challenge, but there’s still work to do.”
Record-Breaking Demand for U.S. Visas
In the first nine months of the fiscal year, the U.S. issued approximately 8 million visas, underscoring the scale of international interest in visiting the country. The previous year saw 67 million international visitors to the U.S., a number Verma described as “record-breaking.”
“The volume has been extraordinary,” Verma remarked. “It’s a good challenge to face, but we are working hard to cut down the wait times, especially for first-time applicants.”
Investment to Tackle Passport and Visa Backlogs
To further address the issue, Congress has recently allocated $50 million to the State Department, with the aim of reducing both passport backlogs and visa wait times. This comes after earlier predictions that some first-time visa applicants in Colombia, Mexico, and India could face waits of several hundred days due to the overwhelming demand.
Verma acknowledged the lasting impact of the pandemic on visa processing times, citing a combination of staffing shortages and pent-up demand. In some cases, applicants in certain countries experienced wait times of up to two years. With major global events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, reducing visa wait times has become a critical priority for the U.S. travel industry.
Striking a Balance Between Efficiency and Security
While cutting visa wait times is a top concern, Verma emphasized the importance of maintaining robust security measures. He mentioned ongoing efforts to identify and prevent fraud, noting that “bad actors” continue to attempt exploitation of the visa system.
“We’re working closely with the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that we’re focusing on the right groups of people,” Verma said. “Around 40% of visa applicants currently do not require an in-person interview, and we’re looking to expand that where appropriate.”
Verma stressed that waiving interviews for certain categories of applicants can streamline the process without compromising security. “If we can eliminate the interview requirement for more applicants, we should definitely do that,” he added.
Upcoming Improvements: Online Passport Renewals
In addition to tackling visa wait times, Verma also revealed that the State Department plans to introduce an online passport renewal option, set to launch on September 18. This move aims to modernize the process and further alleviate administrative bottlenecks, providing a more convenient option for U.S. citizens.
As the U.S. prepares to host more major global events and welcome a growing number of international visitors, the ongoing efforts to improve visa processing times will be essential to maintaining the country’s appeal as a top travel destination.