Impact of US VISA Regulations

Impact of the US Visitor Visa Procedures on the

Number of Foreign Travelers

Impact of the US Visitor Visa Procedures on the

Number of Foreign Travelers

Manerly F. Salvatore HOSM 400

Roosevelt UniversityNovember 30, 2009

Manerly F. Salvatore HOSM 400

Roosevelt UniversityNovember 30, 2009

DEFINITION: VISA

Source: The Free Dictionary, http://www.thefreedictionary.com/visa

vi·sa  (vz)n.An official authorization appended to a passport, permitting entry into and travel within a particular country or region.tr.v. vi·saed, vi·sa·ing, vi·sas1. To endorse or ratify (a passport).2. To give a visa to.

A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States (U.S.) generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship. Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the U.S. without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel.

• U.S. immigration laws enacted by Congress provide authority over immigration matters. The Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA) in Title 8 of the United States Code, provides the foundation for immigration law, along with its amendments.  Additionally, more recent immigration laws have an impact on visa processing, including, as examples, the USA Patriot Act of 2001 and the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Reform Act of 2002.

• The "visitor" visa is a nonimmigrant visa for persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1), for pleasure or medical treatment (B-2), or combination of both (B-1/B-2) purposes.

• A visa allows a foreign citizen coming from abroad, to travel to the United States port-of entry and request permission to enter the U.S. Applicants should be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have authority to permit or deny admission to the United States.

• Since 2001, there have been significant changes on the US Visa Regulations and procedures.

The United States Visa

The U.S. Visitor Visa Application Process

• Planning ahead of time

• Qualifying for a visa

• Applying for a visa

• Providing required documentation

• Paying required visa application fees

• Providing additional documentation as requested

• Attending visa application interview process

• Following the Special Registration Procedures (NSEERS) for selected individuals/applicants

Source: US Department of State Website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1262.html#4

Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. Report of the Visa Office 2005.

US Travel Numbers & Visitors 2007-2008

• The US welcomed 39 million international visitors from 213 countries during the first quarters of 2008.

• The US Department of Commerce announced that 3.4 million international visitors traveled to the United States in January 2008, an increase of 11% over January 2007.

• International Visitors spent $11.38 billion in January 2008, up 23% from the previous year.

Source: Travel Markets Insider Newsletter (2008). 11(28), 1.

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Travel and Tourism Industries (OTTI), Dec 2008.

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Travel and Tourism Industries (OTTI), Dec 2008.

Conclusion

• Tighter 2009 US visa regulations, new passport requirements and more stringent security procedures have created the perception of an unwelcoming country.

• Despite the negative impact on foreign travelers perception regarding the US visa regulations & procedures, the number of international travels to the US has been steadily increased since 2007.

• US government need to spend more in its’ tourism advertising expenditures. In 2004, US Department of Commerce only spent $6 million (its’ first advertising expenditure since 1996). Australia spent $93 million and the UK spent $20 million (Travel Market Insider Newsletter, 2008).

References• Coulter, A. (2004). US visa rules: your cut-out-and-keep guide. Travel Trade Gazette UK & Ireland,

(2597), 10. Retrieved from Hospitality & Tourism Complete database.

• Michels, J. (2003). Washington to implement new security procedures for inbound travelers. Travel Agent, 314(11), 14. Retrieved from Hospitality & Tourism Complete database.

• Poling, B. (2008). U.S. lenient on airlines over Visa Waiver rule. Travel Weekly, 67(50), 43. Retrieved from Hospitality & Tourism Complete database.

• Rowe, M. (2004). Visa hassles hurt meetings business. Association Meetings, 16(3), 10-11. Retrieved from Hospitality & Tourism Complete database.

• Travel Market Insider (2008). Overall US travel numbers and visitor spend climb in January 08; Japan and S. Korea arrivals slow. (cover story). Travel Markets Insider Newsletter, 11(28), 1. Retrieved from Hospitality & Tourism Complete database.

• Travel Weekly (2005). Visa rules hurting US trade. Travel Weekly: The Choice of Travel Professionals, 6(1769). Retrieved from Hospitality & Tourism Complete database.

• The Free Dictionary (2009). Visa. Retrieved Nov 29, 2009 from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/visa

References

• US Department of State. (2009). Visitors Visa Business & Pleasure. Bureau of Consular Affairs-US Department of State. Retrieved Nov 29, 2009 from http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1262.html#4

• US Department of State. (2009). Report of the Visa Office 2005. Bureau of Consular Affairs-US Department of State. Retrieved Nov 29, 2009 from http://travel.state.gov/pdf/FY05tableI.pdf

• US Department of Commerce. (October 2007). Forecast of International Travel to the United States. Office of Travel & Tourism Industries. Retrieved Nov 29, 2009 from http://tinet.ita.doc.gov/view/f-2000-99-001/forecast/Forecast_World_Regions_to_web.pdf

• US Department of Commerce. (2007). Chart of international arrivals to the United States, 1997-2007. Office of Travel & Tourism Industries. Retrieved Nov 29, 2009 from http://tinet.ita.doc.gov/outreachpages/download_data_table/Analysis_2007YTD_Arrivals.pdf

• US Department of Commerce. (2008). International Arrivals to the United States, 1997-2007. Office of Travel & Tourism Industries. Retrieved Nov 29, 2009 from http://tinet.ita.doc.gov/view/m-2008-I-001/documents%5CSeptember2008_YTD_Arrivals_Analysis.pdf

• World Tourism Organization. (June 2009). UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. World Tourism Organization Report, 7 (2). Retrieved November 2009 from http://unwto.org/facts/eng/pdf/barometer/UNWTO_Barom09_2_en_excerpt.pdf

Thank you!