Waiting a long time for visitor visas is causing problems for the U.S. tourism industry. Travel expert Dawit Habtemariam says this issue will continue in 2024, especially in Colombia, Mexico, and India.
The U.S. State Department agrees, saying that many people in these countries want visas. Before, delays were because of lots of people wanting visas and not enough embassy staff due to the pandemic.
Julie Stufft, who handles visas, says they are dealing with a lot of visa requests even after the pandemic.
The U.S. Travel Association thinks the slow visa process could cost the U.S. travel industry about $12 billion in lost spending this year.
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