The US will lose out on 6.6 million international travelers and $11.6 billion in their spending in 2023 if visa processing delays persist, an industry group projects.
Three of the largest markets for travel to the US—Mexico, Brazil, and India—account for much of those projected losses, according to an analysis the US Travel Association released Thursday.
Wait times for B-1 business traveler visas and B-2 tourist visas exceed one year at consular offices in those countries. Such lengthy processing times have hampered a rebound for the tourism industry in the US after pandemic travel restrictions were relaxed.
“Excessive visa delays ...