The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has made historic strides in improving passport and visa services since 2021, emphasizing service excellence, innovation, and security under the Biden-Harris Administration.
Record-Breaking Passport and Visa Services
Since 2021, nearly 90 million passports have been issued, reaching an all-time high of 170 million valid U.S. passports in circulation. In 2024, the Department achieved a 4-6 week processing timeline, the fastest in over five years. Additionally, the Department plans to open six new passport agencies, expanding service access to millions more Americans.
U.S. embassies and consulates abroad have issued approximately 30 million nonimmigrant visas since 2021, including a record 11.5 million in FY 2024. These efforts have strengthened national security while boosting the $2.3 trillion travel and tourism industry and supporting 10 million American jobs.
Driving Innovation in Consular Services
A key achievement in 2024 was the launch of the Online Passport Renewal (OPR) system, enabling over 1.5 million U.S. citizens to renew passports entirely online. A pilot domestic visa renewal program also allowed over 6,000 skilled workers from 2,400 companies to renew visas within the U.S., minimizing workforce disruptions.
Unmatched Support for U.S. Citizens Abroad
The Bureau has been pivotal in crisis response, evacuating over 10,000 U.S. citizens from conflict zones including Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Israel since 2021. Travel advisories have also been enhanced to warn of wrongful detentions abroad.
Commitment to Afghan Allies
Since January 2021, over 78,000 Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) have been issued for Afghan allies, representing more than half of all Afghan SIVs issued since the program’s inception in 2009, reaffirming the U.S.’s dedication to those who supported its mission in Afghanistan.