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State Department Continues to Reduce Visa Interview Wait Times

Washington, DC, January 12, 2012, Visa processing in Brazil and China jumped more than 50 percent in the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 from the same period in 2011. At the same time, our Missions in China and Brazil decreased the wait for visa interviews. In China, visa interview wait times are only two days at any of our five visa-processing posts. In Brazil, wait times are down to 15 days in Rio de Janeiro and six days in Brasilia.

To meet increasing demand, the Department of State is deploying additional personnel, expanding visa sections, and utilizing new systems and technologies to facilitate legitimate travel without compromising national security. These initiatives are getting results. In China, consular officers adjudicated nearly 260,000 visas in the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, compared to 175,000 visas in 2011, an increase of 48 percent. In Brazil, consular officers adjudicated nearly 280,000 visas in the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, compared to 171,000 visas in 2011, an increase of 63 percent.

This remarkable growth signals good news for the U.S. economy, when every additional 65 international visitors to the United States generate enough exports to support an additional travel and tourism-related job. Visitors from China and Brazil represent a growing market for travel and tourism to the United States.