The United States has awarded 11.5 million visas in fiscal year 2024 including 8.5 million visitor visas. As per Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, the States Department has made waiting times down by 60% than previous years. This improvement has made US visa statistics much better than in previous years.
The remarkable achievements in visa and passport issuance were made possible through the dedicated work of the department’s consular team, which successfully adapted to the challenges posed by the pandemic.
Visa Issuance Record in Fiscal Year 2024
In Fiscal Year 2024, a record-breaking 11.5 million visas were issued globally, setting a new high by the State Department. Of these, 8.5 million were visitor visas, marking a 10 percent increase over the previous year.
Reduced visa processing times
Wait times for visas have significantly decreased, with a reduction of nearly 60 percent from the peak of the pandemic when consular operations worldwide faced considerable challenges. The median wait time for a first-time visitor visa interview is under 60 days currently.
Future Plans for Visa Processing in 2025
Efforts to enhance processing capacity are ongoing, with an additional 1 million visa appointments planned for Fiscal Year 2025, building on this year’s record numbers.
These initiatives are intended to support travel to the United States for various purposes, including major upcoming sports events. The country is set to host the FIFA World Cup, the Olympics and Paralympics, and the Rugby World Championships, signaling the start of a landmark decade for sports.
Streamlining Visa Processes for International Events
Preparations are in place to ensure efficient visa processing for visitors attending these large-scale events, as well as for general tourism and business travel. The goal is to make the application process timely and seamless, encouraging international travel to the United States over the coming years.
Record Passport Issuance in Fiscal Year 2024
Fiscal Year 2024 also saw record numbers on the passport side, with 24.5 million passports issued, a half-million increase over the previous year. Despite this substantial volume, processing times have improved, now averaging four to six weeks.
Launch of Online Passport Renewal
A new online passport renewal program was launched in September, allowing most Americans to renew their passports from home by uploading a photograph and submitting their applications online. This modernization effort has reduced the processing time from one month to just one week, and over a million Americans have already used the service.