U.S. Travel Update: Entry Requirements Under Review
U.S. Tourism Board convenes with U.S. Consulate to address lingering visa delays, ESTA changes, and travel hiccups post-pandemic.
More than a year after U.S. land and air borders reopened, a meeting between Brand USA in France and the U.S. Consulate General in Paris examined the current entry requirements for all incoming travelers.
Rémy Vénitien, President of Brand USA in France, took the opportunity to clarify the latest travel formalities. Since the COVID-19 era, rules have shifted and several key points must be kept top of mind—visas, ESTA eligibility and, consequently, the knock-on impact on tourism.
The U.S. Consulate reports that consular-appointment and visa-processing wait times remain longer than pre-pandemic levels. To address the backlog, recruitment drives are now underway to shore up staffing levels. Authorities stressed that a resolution is expected as soon as possible and confirmed that appointments can now be booked before the end of 2022, not April 2023. Once travelers register on the Consulate’s website, they can make an appointment, monitor their application’s progress, and check for earlier slots any time additional appointments are released every day due to cancellations. In addition, urgent requests filed by French residents will be prioritized. Brand USA urges travelers to apply well in advance of departure dates to secure visas in time.
Anyone who visited Cuba on or after 12 January 2021 is no longer eligible for ESTA; these travelers must obtain a visa from a U.S. Consulate. Brand USA also warned that any inaccurate or incomplete disclosures in visa or ESTA applications leave applicants open to entry refusal at U.S. ports of entry—even if their ESTA is already approved, final admission authority rests with the immigration officer.
➡ What to do if your ESTA is refused
If you mistakenly answered any ESTA form questions incorrectly, you can reach out to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to request an amendment and simultaneously apply for a visa at a U.S. Consulate. Brand USA recommends submitting ESTA applications as soon as travelers have fixed travel dates.
➡ How the U.S. plans to reboot inbound travel in 2023
Despite pandemic-era losses, the U.S. is ramping up efforts to welcome visitors again in 2023. France has long been a key feeder market, with strong 2019 visitation figures. However, post-COVID travel remains sluggish for most origin markets; airfares and accommodation rates have climbed across the board. That said, North America remains one of the more affordable budget-friendly destinations thanks to the rise of low-cost carriers such as Frenchbee. Brand USA is optimistic the rebound is already under way, pointing to the busy advance summer-2023 booking pipelines with tour operators and airlines.
