International tourism to the United States slowed in 2025, according to a Congressional Research Service report that points to longer visa wait times, tighter immigration policies and other travel barriers as possible factors behind the decline.
The report said international arrivals fell 5.5% last year, with 68.3 million visitors compared with 72.3 million in 2024. Monthly data showed year-over-year declines in 10 months of 2025, and January 2026 arrivals were also down 3.5% from the same month a year earlier.
The downturn comes as the United States prepares to host major global events, including the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics. Congress and travel-industry groups have raised concerns that visa processing delays could limit the economic benefits of those events, especially for foreign fans and athletes.
The report said visitor trends varied by country. Among the 20 biggest sources of U.S. arrivals in 2025, nine countries sent more travelers than in 2024 and 11 sent fewer. Israel posted the largest increase at 15.6%, while Canada recorded the sharpest drop at 20.9%.
Economic effects could be significant. The World Travel and Tourism Council estimated that international visitor spending in the United States totaled about $176 billion in 2025, down 4.6% from 2024. The report also noted that travel and tourism accounted for about 3% of U.S. gross domestic product in 2023.
Lawmakers have already taken steps that could affect tourism promotion and visa costs. The report said the FY2025 reconciliation law cut federal matching funds for Brand USA from $100 million to $20 million and added new visa and admission fees. Some lawmakers have also introduced legislation to restore funding for the tourism promotion group.
The report further said the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement and travel restrictions, including two travel bans, visa bonds and shorter tourist visa validity in some cases, have raised concerns about a broader dampening effect on travel to the United States.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
