Improvements to Visa Processing

Fact Sheet
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
October 20, 2004



Improvements to Visa Processing


The U.S. Department of State has invested in systems, staffing and worked with
partners within the U.S. Government to increase the transparency, efficiency
and predictability of the nonimmigrant visa process.

* To assist in facilitating legitimate travel in a timely fashion, the
Department of State has continued to enhance its systems to better screen
applicants. The Department invested approximately $1 million in automation
for interagency linkages to improve efficiency in the interagency process.
* The Department has also invested in staff. Since 2002, over 350 new
consular Foreign Service positions have been added.
* While concerns from various groups in the business, scientific and academic
communities have centered on interagency clearances in Washington, only a
small percentage of visa applicants are referred for an interagency
clearance - 2.2% of all visa applicants last fiscal year and the vast
majority of these are now accomplished in less than a month.
* The Department of State has placed the highest priority on expediting
student visas by instructing visa-adjudicating U.S. embassies and
consulates to provide expedited interviews specifically for students and
exchange visitors.
* These efforts have translated into results - there are recent positive
indicators about international travel to the United States. The Department
of Commerce recently announced that international arrivals for June 2004
year-to-date increased 16 percent over the same period last year. Making
the same comparison, January 1 through June 30, 2004, nonimmigrant visa
applications increased 10.4 percent and visa issuances increased 14.6
percent over the same period last year. In the same period, student visa
applications increased 9.4% and student visa issuances increased 11.2%.
* The Department continually strives to provide the best possible screening
of visa applicants in an effort to combat terrorism and prevent illicit
technology transfer. At the same time, the Department is doing everything
it can to welcome foreign visitors for legitimate travel. The Department of
State understands - and strongly believes - that travel, trade and exchange
of ideas are good for America and for the world.

2004/1133
[End]

Released on October 20, 2004

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