WASHINGTON (February 9, 2022)—U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow issued the following statement on the announcement that Brazil and its citizens now have full partnership in the Global Entry program, which will ease travel to the United States for business and tourism:

“The American travel community begins a new chapter with Brazil’s full admittance into the Global Entry program. This effective trusted traveler program will provide pre-approved travelers from Brazil with an expedited Customs process upon arrival in the United States.

“While this is welcome news, the Biden administration must also address the ongoing visa processing issues in Brazil and around the world. On average, visitor visa wait times in Brazil are 233 days. Pre-pandemic, Brazil was the fifth-largest overseas inbound market, and it is crucial that visa processing fully resumes so we can restore this critical source market.

“We commend both the U.S. and Brazil for advancing Brazil’s entry into this valuable security program and urge the Biden administration to fully resume visa processing operations worldwide.”