The process of obtaining a U.S. visa is set to become easier, faster, and more streamlined. On the 29th, the U.S. Departments of State and Commerce officially announced plans to significantly expand entry visa issuance and simplify the procedure. As a result, the process for Koreans visiting the United States is expected to become more convenient, potentially leading to an increase in visitors.

At a press conference at the State Department building in Washington, D.C., Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced plans to increase U.S. visa interview appointments for the 2025 fiscal year (October 2024 to September 2025) by one million compared to the previous fiscal year.

During the announcement, Secretary Blinken shared that while the exact number of visa interviews conducted in the 2024 fiscal year was not disclosed, the issuance of U.S. visas for foreign nationals reached a record 11.5 million, of which visitor visas increased by 10% to 8.5 million.

Secretary Blinken explained that the decision to expand visa interviews is driven by anticipated high demand from people wishing to visit the U.S. for major upcoming events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Los Angeles. Currently, the average wait time for a U.S. visa is under 60 days, a 60% reduction compared to wait times during the pandemic. He also noted that a record 24.5 million passports were issued in the 2024 fiscal year, up by 500,000 from the previous year, thanks to system upgrades like the online passport renewal program launched in September.

Secretary Raimondo highlighted the significant impact of the travel and tourism industries, noting they create about 10 million jobs and support $2.3 trillion in economic activity. She emphasized that the expansion of visa issuance will help stabilize the U.S. job market, noting that the number of international visitors to the U.S. increased from 50 million two years ago to 66 million last year. The goal is to increase this to 90 million by 2026, allowing the travel and tourism industries to fully recover from the effects of COVID-19.

Attorney Lee Kyung-hee, an immigration law expert, commented, "Although South Korea has a visa waiver program, making little difference for tourists, this is good news for those requiring tourist visas due to restrictions on visa-free entry or for long-term stays."

The attorney explained that those who have had visas denied in the past, visited countries designated as sponsors of terrorism, or have other restrictions may need to obtain a tourist visa. "Given the changes, it should become easier for them to secure visas," she noted.

"Particularly for those with family or relatives in the U.S. and who want to stay longer than three months, obtaining a tourist visa in advance can allow stays of up to six months," she added, advising those in need to consider applying for a tourist visa during this period.

— Hwang Eui-gyeong, Reporter

<Hwang, Eui-kyung>