From March 2025, international tourists eyeing the United States will face new hurdles. New Trump policies have stirred the pot, introducing tighter border checks and longer visa waits. Add to this the unpredictable global economy and lingering health concerns, and suddenly, that trip to New York feels like trying to get into a VIP club without a list.
- Tighter Border Rules: Expect more extended visa processing and stricter checks.
- Economic Shifts: Global recovery is boosting international arrivals.
- Tourism Rebound: US expects pre-pandemic visitor levels by 2025.
To be fair, stricter border rules aim for security, but international tourists often see it as a ‘security theatre’. Nobody wants to feel like they’re auditioning for a spy movie at customs. Tourists keen to visit the US may weigh these frustrations against their travel plans, which could steer them to other destinations with fewer hoops to jump through.
Visa Chaos and Tourists Left Hanging
- New Trump policies bring stricter visa rules, causing chaos for international travellers.
- Tourists may face lengthy delays, with appointments pushed back or cancelled.
- Visa wait times in some countries stretch to shocking extremes.
- High-risk nations could see heightened scrutiny and potential restrictions.
Tourists planning a trip to the United States may find themselves trapped in a bureaucratic nightmare, thanks to new Trump policies. The focus on “foreign terrorists and other national security and public safety threats” is causing a ripple effect far beyond terrorism concerns. The executive order forces the Departments of Homeland Security and State to ramp up vetting, not only for visa applicants but also for foreign nationals already in the country. The goal? “Ensure those entering the US don’t want to harm Americans or national interests.” Sounds reasonable, right? Except it’s been anything but.
- Delays for visa applications are now the norm.
- Appointment slots are missed, delayed or outright suspended.
- Travellers from so-called “high-risk” nations are under particular scrutiny.
- Critics fear a revival of the 2017 travel ban might be on the horizon.
If you’re just trying to take a holiday or plan a business trip to the US, this doesn’t sound like much fun.
Sports Events? Brilliant Timing for a Visa Meltdown
Why does this matter now? Funny that you should ask. The United States is set to play host to what policymakers are calling a “mega decade” of multi-billion-pound sports events. Here’s the line-up of global spectacles:
- 2026: FIFA World Cup (shared with Canada and Mexico, but 11 US cities are involved).
- 2028: Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
- 2031: Men’s Rugby World Cup.
- 2033: Women’s Rugby World Cup.
- 2034: Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
How prepared is the US for the international crowds? Short answer: not at all. According to the US Travel Association, visa processing times are dragging the system to a halt and making it tougher than ever for tourists to visit. Some travellers might think that spending 700 days waiting for a visitor visa, as is reported in Colombia’s case, isn’t exactly worth it. That’s right, 700 days—nearly two years. Want to catch next summer’s FIFA World Cup? Good luck getting your paperwork sorted in time.
Billions in Tourism Revenue Down the Drain
Industry experts are, unsurprisingly, panicking. “If the US makes itself harder to visit or do business with, other countries are ready to step in. Canada, the UK, Australia—they’re already wooing the talent and tourists that America risks driving away,” said one travel insider.
The numbers paint a grim picture:
- Nearly $19bn in tourism spending could vanish over the next two years if delays continue.
- Billions more could be at stake as stretched visa waits deter international visitors.
The US Travel Association didn’t sugarcoat the issue, claiming the country is “not ready to host the upcoming mega decade of events.” Its CEO, Geoff Freeman, went a step further, labelling slow visa processing as the “single biggest deterrent to visiting the US”—ahead of costs, safety, or other concerns.