The U.S. State Department has announced a major development for international travelers. In 2025, the department will add one million new visa appointments to improve accessibility and reduce wait times for U.S. visas.
This move, announced by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, aligns with the department’s goal to make the visa process more efficient and manageable, especially for those seeking visitor visas to the U.S.
In 2024 alone, the State Department set a record by issuing 11.5 million visas, with 8.5 million of those being visitor visas. This substantial increase in issued visas reflects the State Department’s ongoing efforts to address the high demand from international travelers.
Another significant update involves the introduction of an online passport renewal option, which allows U.S. citizens to renew their passports digitally. This has shortened the processing time to just one week, a change expected to benefit American travelers significantly.
The State Department’s decision to expand visa appointments is also influenced by the upcoming FIFA World Cup and other global events in the U.S., which are expected to attract an influx of international visitors. The addition of one million visa appointments is part of a broader effort to streamline the visa process, meet demand, and support the economic and cultural benefits of increased travel to the U.S.