Yglesias wants to make it easier:
The increased scrutiny given to people seeking tourist visas is hidden from most Americans but very annoying for potential tourists. The 36 countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program that lets people make short-term visits without applying for special permission account for 65 percent of visits to the United States. But major Latin American countries, including Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, aren’t on the list.
Even where it’s not viable to expand the Waiver Program, we should try to make the process more convenient. A January Obama administration executive order has succeeded in drastically reducing wait times from Brazil and China. But there are logistical issues beyond wait time. China, a nation of 1.2 billion people, has just five locations where visas can be obtained. Harbin, a metro area about the size of Philadelphia’s, is an almost eight-hour drive from the nearest spot where you can interview. America is a great place to visit, and rapid growth in historically poor countries means more people than ever can come to see it. We need to do what we can to roll out the welcome mat.
The Dish 