Optimizing Visa Coordination for 2028 Olympics

Key Takeaways

In just a few years, California will welcome the world for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. This global event presents not just a showcase for athletic excellence, but a complex challenge for visa coordination for the 2028 Olympics between state and federal authorities. With hundreds of thousands of international visitors expected—from athletes and officials to spectators and media—the pressure to create efficient, secure entry procedures has never been greater.

The success of the Games hinges significantly on how well California and federal agencies can align their visa processes. Current systems, if left unchanged, risk creating bottlenecks that could mar the Olympic experience and potentially impact national security. The complex interplay between federal immigration policies and California’s desire to create a welcoming environment for international visitors creates both tension and opportunity.

This analysis explores the current landscape of visa coordination planning, identifies critical challenges, and offers bipartisan solutions that could transform how governments manage large-scale international events. By examining effective models and innovative approaches, we can envision a pathway to Olympic success that extends beyond the playing field to the very gateways of our nation.

Current Federal and State Visa Plans

Analysis of existing federal and state visa strategies

The federal government, primarily through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the State Department, currently maintains exclusive authority over visa issuance and border entry decisions. For the 2028 Olympics, federal planning has centered on three key strategic initiatives:

• Enhanced Visa Waiver Program (VWP) processing for eligible countries
• Temporary expansion of consular operations in high-demand regions
• Development of expedited security screening for Olympic-credentialed individuals

Federal authorities have begun preliminary assessments for handling what could be more than 500,000 additional international visitors during the Olympic period. The State Department has indicated plans to increase staffing at key consular posts beginning in 2026, particularly in countries with historically high Olympic attendance rates.

Meanwhile, California’s approach to visa coordination for the 2028 Olympics has focused on supplementary services and visitor support, operating within the constraints of federal immigration authority. State initiatives currently include:

• Development of a dedicated Olympic Visitor Support Office to assist with documentation preparation
• Creation of multilingual guidance for navigating visa applications specific to Olympic attendance
• Advocacy for temporary visa flexibility during the Games period

The LA2028 Organizing Committee has established a Government Relations Task Force that serves as a liaison between state interests and federal authorities. This task force has already begun informal discussions with federal agencies about potential accommodations for the Olympic period, though formal agreements remain limited.

Comparison of California’s approach to federal guidelines

California’s vision for Olympic visitor entry emphasizes efficiency and hospitality, sometimes creating tension with federal security protocols. The state has proposed several innovations that push beyond current federal guidelines:

California Proposals:

• Virtual pre-screening processes that would allow visitors to complete preliminary security checks before travel
• Dedicated entry lanes at LAX and other regional airports specifically for Olympic visitors
• Temporary processing centers established near Olympic venues for visa inquiries and issues

Federal Guidelines:

• Maintenance of standard security protocols with limited exceptions for official Olympic delegations
• Centralized processing through existing channels with potential capacity increases
• Adherence to established visa categories with no creation of “Olympic-specific” entry statuses

These divergent approaches reflect fundamentally different priorities. California officials emphasize the economic and reputational benefits of creating a seamless entry experience, while federal authorities prioritize security standardization and avoiding precedents that could complicate long-term immigration policy.

The federal government has shown openness to operational adjustments, such as increased staffing and extended processing hours, but remains resistant to substantive policy changes. A senior DHS official recently noted, “While we recognize the importance of facilitating Olympic travel, we must maintain the integrity of our immigration system and security protocols.”

This gap between state ambitions and federal limitations represents the central challenge in visa coordination for the 2028 Olympics. Bridging this divide will require innovative approaches that satisfy both California’s desire for visitor-friendly processes and the federal government’s mandate to maintain secure borders.

Challenges in Aligning Federal and State Priorities

Identifying barriers to effective coordination

The path to effective visa coordination for the 2028 Olympics is impeded by several significant barriers that transcend mere policy differences. Understanding these obstacles is essential for developing workable solutions:

Jurisdictional Complexity: The overlapping and sometimes conflicting authorities between federal agencies themselves create initial coordination challenges. The State Department controls visa issuance, while DHS manages port-of-entry decisions through Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Adding California state agencies and the Olympic Committee creates a multi-dimensional coordination puzzle with no single entity in charge.

Technological Disparities: Federal visa and entry systems operate on legacy platforms that don’t always communicate effectively with each other, let alone with state-level systems. California’s more modernized digital infrastructure often cannot integrate with federal databases, creating information silos that hinder coordinated planning.

A recent GAO report highlighted that federal visa processing systems still rely on technology platforms designed in the early 2000s, with limited capacity for surge processing. As one technology officer at CBP acknowledged, “Our systems were not designed with events like the Olympics in mind.”

Resource Imbalances: Federal immigration agencies face chronic resource constraints that limit flexibility. The current visa processing backlog exceeds 400,000 applications at some consular posts. Meanwhile, California has dedicated significant resources to Olympic preparation but lacks authority to directly address visa processing capacity.

Timeline Misalignment: Federal budget and planning cycles operate on different timelines than Olympic preparation. While LA2028 and California agencies are already developing detailed operational plans, federal agencies typically cannot commit resources or policy adjustments more than 2-3 years in advance, creating planning uncertainties.

Impact of discrepancies between federal and state visa priorities

The divergent priorities between California and federal authorities create practical consequences that could significantly impact the Olympic experience and leave lasting implications for California-Federal cooperation:

Processing Bottlenecks: Without coordinated approaches, international visitors could face extended visa processing times and entry delays. During the 2016 Rio Olympics, visa processing times in some countries exceeded 90 days, causing thousands of potential visitors to cancel travel plans. Similar issues for the 2028 Games could reduce attendance and economic benefits while creating negative international perceptions.

Security vs. Accessibility Tension: Federal agencies emphasize thorough security screening, while California prioritizes visitor accessibility. This fundamental tension leads to conflicting messaging to potential visitors and complicated planning for Olympic delegations. The risk exists that either security protocols become compromised through rushed exceptions, or excessive restrictions deter legitimate visitors.

International Relations Impact: Olympic events have diplomatic significance beyond their sporting importance. Visa difficulties can create international tensions, as occurred during the 2014 Sochi Olympics when processing issues for some delegations became diplomatic incidents. California’s international trade relationships could be affected by federal visa decisions perceived as overly restrictive.

Precedent Concerns: Federal agencies hesitate to create “Olympic exceptions” that might establish precedents for other events or regional preferences. As one former USCIS official noted, “Once you create special procedures for one event, every major convention and sporting event in the country will demand the same treatment.”

Economic Consequences: The LA2028 Committee estimates that Olympic tourism could generate over $18 billion in economic activity, but this depends significantly on smooth entry procedures. Studies of previous Olympics suggest that visa complications can reduce potential tourism revenue by 15-20%, representing billions in potential lost economic activity if coordination fails.

These challenges highlight the need for innovative approaches to visa coordination for the 2028 Olympics that can satisfy both security requirements and visitor facilitation goals. The tensions between federal and state priorities are not insurmountable, but addressing them requires unprecedented collaboration and creative solutions that respect both sets of concerns.

Best Practices for Bipartisan Visa Coordination

Exploring successful models of bipartisan cooperation in visa processes

Despite the challenges, several historical examples provide valuable models for successful bipartisan solutions to complex visa coordination issues. These precedents offer practical lessons for the 2028 Olympics:

The 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics Model: Following the September 11 attacks, the 2002 Winter Games faced unprecedented security concerns while still needing to welcome international visitors. A joint federal-state Olympic task force was established with representatives from INS (now USCIS), the State Department, Utah state agencies, and the Olympic Committee. This unified command structure:

• Created a single point of authority for visa-related decisions
• Established clear security protocols with appropriate flexibility
• Pre-approved team delegations through an enhanced vetting process

The result was a 99.8% successful entry rate for accredited Olympic participants with zero security incidents—widely considered a model of effective coordination under difficult circumstances.

The 2010 Vancouver Cooperation Framework: While hosted in Canada, the 2010 Winter Olympics created coordination mechanisms between Canadian authorities and U.S. agencies to manage cross-border movement for spectators and participants. Key elements included:

• Pre-registration systems for frequent Olympic-related border crossings
• Harmonized risk assessment criteria between countries
• Dedicated processing lanes with specialized training for border personnel

This framework demonstrated that security and efficiency are not mutually exclusive when agencies commit to collaborative approaches.

Global Entry Expansion Model: The phased expansion of Global Entry and trusted traveler programs represents a successful case of modernizing entry procedures through technology in visa coordination. By focusing first on low-risk, high-volume travelers, these programs demonstrated that security could be enhanced while simultaneously improving the traveler experience.

Pan American Games Coordination: The 2015 Toronto and 2019 Lima Pan American Games implemented regional coordination mechanisms that balanced security with accessibility. Their “concentric circle” approach prioritized resources based on risk profiles while maintaining efficient processing for athletes and spectators.

Recommendations for enhancing collaboration between California and federal agencies

Drawing from these successful models and addressing the specific challenges of the 2028 Olympics, several key recommendations emerge for enhancing visa coordination for the 2028 Olympics:

1. Establish a Joint Olympic Visa Coordination Office (JOVCO)

Create a dedicated interagency entity with decision-making authority that includes representatives from:

• Department of Homeland Security and State Department
• California Governor’s Office and relevant state agencies
• LA2028 Organizing Committee
• Congressional representatives from both parties

This office would have authority to develop Olympic-specific procedures and resolve jurisdictional conflicts through a consensus model that respects both security and facilitation priorities.

2. Implement Advanced Technology Solutions

Leverage technology in visa coordination to bridge the gap between security and efficiency:

• Develop an Olympic Visitor Portal that integrates with existing visa systems but provides a streamlined application process for Olympic-related travel
• Implement AI-powered risk assessment tools that can process applications more efficiently while identifying security concerns
• Utilize blockchain or similar technology for secure identity verification that respects privacy concerns

3. Create a Phased Preparation Timeline

Establish a clear roadmap with specific milestones:

• 2023-2024: Policy framework development and system design
• 2025-2026: Technology implementation and testing
• 2027: Staff training and process validation
• 2028: Full operational capability with surge capacity

This phased approach allows for appropriate budgeting cycles and gradual system adjustments rather than last-minute changes.

4. Develop Olympic-Specific Training for Border Personnel

Create specialized training that balances security vigilance with hospitality:

• Cultural awareness training for CBP officers processing Olympic visitors
• Event-specific knowledge to help identify legitimate Olympic-related travel
• Customer service approaches appropriate for a high-profile international event

5. Establish a Legislative Framework for Temporary Measures

Work with Congress to create bipartisan legislation that:

• Authorizes temporary procedural adjustments during the Olympic period
• Provides necessary funding for technology and staffing enhancements
• Establishes clear sunset provisions to address precedent concerns

The M2 Group influence in Washington could be particularly valuable in navigating these legislative requirements across party lines.

6. Implement Pre-Clearance Innovations

Expand pre-clearance capabilities to reduce arrival processing:

• Establish temporary pre-clearance facilities at major departure points for Olympic travel
• Create a “Known Olympic Visitor” program modeled on trusted traveler systems
• Develop mobile pre-clearance teams that can process groups at Olympic delegation departure points

By adopting these recommendations, California and federal authorities can create a model of bipartisan solutions that serves the immediate needs of the Olympic Games while potentially transforming visa and entry processes for future large-scale international events. The success of this coordination would demonstrate that security and accessibility can be complementary rather than competing priorities.

The Role of Innovative Technology in Modern Visa Processing

The implementation of cutting-edge technology in visa coordination represents perhaps the most promising path to reconciling federal security requirements with California’s efficiency goals. Several emerging technologies offer particular promise:

Biometric Verification Systems: Advanced biometric technologies have matured significantly since previous Olympics. Facial recognition, iris scanning, and fingerprint verification can now be deployed at scale with accuracy rates exceeding 99.5%. These systems can dramatically accelerate identity verification while enhancing security.

Distributed Ledger Solutions: Blockchain and similar technologies enable secure, tamper-proof verification of credentials across multiple agencies. A unified Olympic identity verification system built on distributed ledger technology could allow visitors to establish their identity and security clearance once, then use this verification across multiple touchpoints.

Predictive Analytics: AI-powered systems can analyze travel patterns and visa applications to identify both security concerns and processing bottlenecks before they occur. These tools can help allocate resources more effectively and provide early warning of potential issues.

Mobile Processing Capabilities: Advances in mobile technology now make it possible to extend visa processing beyond traditional consular offices. Mobile units could be deployed to Olympic qualification events worldwide, processing potential visitors closer to their homes and reducing application backlogs.

The combination of these technologies, properly implemented with appropriate privacy safeguards, could transform the visitor experience while maintaining robust security protocols. As one technology officer from the M2 Group influence network noted, “The right technology investments now could create a visa processing system that serves as a global model long after the Olympic flame is extinguished.”

The 2028 Olympics offers a compelling use case for these innovations, with clear metrics for success and strong incentives for cooperation among all stakeholders. By embracing technological solutions within a framework of California-Federal cooperation, the Games could catalyze long-overdue modernization of America’s visa and entry systems.

Building Lasting Legacy Through Visa Coordination

Perhaps the most valuable outcome of successful visa coordination for the 2028 Olympics would be establishing frameworks and systems that continue to benefit international travel to the United States long after the Games conclude.

Olympic infrastructure improvements typically focus on venues and transportation, but the potential “soft infrastructure” improvements in visa processing could yield benefits for decades. Creating systems that demonstrate how security and efficiency can coexist would position the United States as a global leader in managing international travel in the digital age.

The collaboration between California and federal authorities could establish new models of bipartisan solutions to complex policy challenges. In an era of political polarization, demonstrating that different levels of government with different political orientations can work effectively together would be a powerful statement about American governance capacity.

As preparations for the 2028 Olympics accelerate, the window for establishing these coordination mechanisms is rapidly narrowing. The time for conceptual discussions is giving way to the need for concrete implementation plans. With thoughtful leadership and genuine commitment to collaboration, the visa coordination challenges of the Olympics can become an opportunity to showcase American innovation and cooperation on the world stage.

Conclusion

The challenge of visa coordination for the 2028 Olympics represents both a significant operational hurdle and a unique opportunity for innovation in how California and federal authorities manage international visitor entry. The successful execution of this massive undertaking will require unprecedented collaboration across jurisdictional boundaries and political divides.

By examining current visa systems, identifying key barriers to coordination, and implementing proven best practices, stakeholders can develop a comprehensive approach that satisfies both security imperatives and visitor experience goals. The incorporation of advanced technologies offers particularly promising avenues for reconciling these sometimes competing priorities.

The stakes extend well beyond the Olympic Games themselves. Effective coordination between California and federal authorities could establish new models for bipartisan solutions to complex governance challenges. The systems and relationships developed through this process could continue delivering benefits for international travel, diplomatic relations, and intergovernmental cooperation long after the Olympic flame is extinguished.

For expert guidance on navigating federal-state policy coordination, The M2 Group provides strategic advisory services to help your organization succeed in the Washington policy landscape. With extensive experience in bridging governmental divides and facilitating productive collaboration, The M2 Group stands ready to support stakeholders in achieving their objectives in this complex but promising endeavor.