As part of the Biden-Harris Administration, the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs has been at the forefront of protecting U.S. citizens, enabling global travel that powers the U.S. economy, and improving federal customer service while safeguarding national security. The past several years have brought notable achievements towards these objectives.
Set Records in U.S. Passport and Visa Services
The demand for U.S. travel documents has reached historic levels, and the Bureau of Consular Affairs has risen to the challenge. Since 2021, the Department has issued an extraordinary 90 million U.S. passports, bringing the number of valid U.S. passports in circulation to nearly 170 million - an all-time high. In 2024 we proudly announced a 4-6-week passport processing timeline for applicants, the fastest turnaround in more than five years.
In addition to our commitment to service excellence, we are also expanding accessibility. In 2024, the Department unveiled the largest expansion of passport services in decades, with plans to open six new passport agencies in coming years – bringing these critical services closer to millions of Americans.
Today, more people can safely and securely travel to the United States than ever before. Since 2021, U.S. embassies and consulates abroad have issued approximately 30 million nonimmigrant visas, with a record 11.5 million visas issued in FY 2024 alone. These efforts have facilitated legitimate travel while safeguarding U.S. borders, fueling the $2.3 trillion travel and tourism sector, and supporting an estimated 10 million American jobs.
Spurred U.S. Innovation, Including Launching the Country's First Online Passport Renewal System
Innovation has been the cornerstone of the Bureau's work to transform consular services and improve customer experience. In September 2024, the Department launched the Online Passport Renewal (OPR) application, a groundbreaking platform that allows U.S. citizens to renew their passports entirely online, including a digital photo tool, all from the comfort of their home. To date, more than 1.5 million U.S. citizens have used this streamlined service, and we expect millions more to benefit from these services in the future. Thanks to increased staffing, technological advancements like OPR, and a host of other improvements, most people are getting their passports back much faster than advertised.
On the visa services front, in 2024 we piloted a domestic visa renewal program, allowing skilled workers supporting U.S. companies to renew their visas within the United States. This initiative benefited more than 6,000 applicants from 2,400 companies, reducing disruptions and ensuring continued productivity across U.S. industry.
In further support of U.S. innovation leadership, we implemented a change to the Exchange Visitor Skills List to attract and retain top global talent in research and academia. By doing so, we are helping U.S. businesses and universities continue their important work, from cutting-edge research to U.S.-led breakthroughs in science and technology.
Delivering Unparalleled Support for U.S. Citizens Abroad
From natural disasters to geopolitical conflicts, the Bureau of Consular Affairs has been a lifeline for U.S. citizens in times of crisis. Since 2021, we facilitated the safe evacuation of more than 10,000 U.S. citizens from danger zones – including Afghanistan, Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Haiti, Sudan, and Niger - using every resource at our disposal, including boats, buses, and helicopters. Around the clock and the world, our embassies, consulates, and task forces have provided 24/7 critical assistance to our fellow Americans.
We have also empowered U.S. travelers, providing the tools they need to make informed, confident decisions about their overseas travel. By enhancing travel advisories to include warnings about wrongful detentions by foreign governments, we are helping Americans to stay safer abroad.
Honoring Our Afghan Allies
The Department remains deeply committed to our Afghan allies, who supported our troops and diplomatic efforts in Afghanistan for more than 20 years. Since January 2021, we have issued more than 78,000 Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for our Afghan allies - representing more than 51 percent of all Afghan SIVs issued since the program began in 2009. This monumental effort reflects our promise to stand by those who supported the U.S. mission and share our values.
