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U.S. Pledges Expanded Visa Processing for 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics

Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlines 24-hour consular operations and AI tools to address visa delays, but concerns persist over unresolved backlogs in six nations.

Overview

  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before Congress, announcing plans to reassign personnel, implement double shifts, and use AI to expedite visa processing for upcoming global events.
  • Current visa wait times in countries like Colombia reach up to 398 days, with six nations facing delays beyond the June 2026 World Cup kickoff date.
  • The bipartisan push from 55 lawmakers highlights the economic stakes, with the World Cup and Olympics projected to generate $22 billion in U.S. economic activity.
  • Rubio’s proposals aim to balance rigorous security protocols with a streamlined visa process, but funding and procedural specifics remain unresolved.
  • Travel groups and legislators warn that unresolved visa bottlenecks could harm U.S. tourism revenue and global reputation during these marquee events.