Articles tagged “state department”

Tourism

U.S. Passport Wait Times Return to Normal After 2 Years of Lengthy Delays

The return of more normal processing times is critical as Americans travel abroad in massive numbers.

Meghna Maharishi | 1 week ago

U.S. Passport Wait Times Return to Normal After 2 Years of Lengthy Delays

Tourism

U.S. Embassy Issues Record Visas, Extended Wait Times Persist: India Report

The issue of long wait times for U.S. visas, particularly for Indian applicants, stands out amidst the overall increase in U.S. visa applications and issuances.

Ashvita Singh, Skift | 4 weeks ago

U.S. Embassy Issues Record Visas, Extended Wait Times Persist: India Report

Tourism

U.S. Travel Caution FAQ: What the State Department Advice Means for Travelers

This worldwide caution for Americans to stay alert in tourist spots, even often safe European capitals, is quite notable.

Dawit Habtemariam | 2 months ago

U.S. Travel Caution FAQ: What the State Department Advice Means for Travelers

News Blog

U.S. State Department Cautions Americans About Travel Worldwide Amid Unrest

The U.S. Department of State issued a "worldwide caution" to all Americans traveling abroad on Thursday. It urged them to stay alert due to heightened tensions in various locations, potential terrorist attacks and violent actions against U.S. citizens. The caution is in response to the ongoing the war between Israel and Hamas. Americans traveling abroad…

Dawit Habtemariam | 2 months ago

Tourism

New Tourism Secretary Won’t Be ‘Panacea’ for U.S. Travel Troubles

The U.S. travel industry should lower their expectations that the assistant secretary for travel and tourism will make their jobs easier.

Dawit Habtemariam | 3 months ago

New Tourism Secretary Won’t Be ‘Panacea’ for U.S. Travel Troubles

News Blog

U.S. to Allow Visa-Free Travel for Israeli Tourists

The U.S. has added Israel to the Visa Waiver Program, the U.S. Department of State announced Wednesday. Starting November 30, Israeli citizens and nationals will be to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business without first obtaining a visitor visa for up to 90 days. Israeli citizens and nationals will only need to complete…

Dawit Habtemariam | 3 months ago

News Blog

U.S. Visitor Visa Wait Times in India Drop by 50 Percent

The amount of time a first-time visitor visa applicant in India has to wait for an interview has fallen from an average of 669 days in mid-March to 337 days in early April, a 50 percent drop, according to the U.S. Travel Association.  The industry lobby group attributed the wait time reduction to the State…

Dawit Habtemariam | 8 months ago

Tourism

U.S. Visitor Visa Wait Times Remain Stuck at Over 400 Days on Average

We're four months into 2023 and first-time visitors from the U.S.'s top inbound countries still have to wait nearly a year for just an interview. This is slowing down the U.S.'s recovery to its pre-pandemic level.

Dawit Habtemariam | 9 months ago

U.S. Visitor Visa Wait Times Remain Stuck at Over 400 Days on Average

Tourism

7 Questions for the U.S. State Department Official Out to Fix the Visa Delays Mess

Travel executives have taken the U.S. government to task for not remedying more quickly the delay in processing travel visas that they say is costing the U.S. travel industry in big ways. We went to the top government official working on this. She says efforts are now producing real results, and asks for patience.

Dawit Habtemariam | 11 months ago

7 Questions for the U.S. State Department Official Out to Fix the Visa Delays Mess

News Blog

U.S. Visa Delays Sees Some Reduction

Global average wait times for U.S. visitor visas dropped below 150 days in January for the first time since 2021, according to the U.S. Travel Association. They still, however, remain higher than 400 days for India, Brazil, Mexico and top inbound visa-requiring markets (excluding China). In 2022, aspiring tourists from the top ten inbound countries…

Dawit Habtemariam | 11 months ago