united states department of state bureau of consular affairs international student and exchange...

United States Department of State United States Department of State Bureau of Consular AffairsBureau of Consular Affairs

International Student and Exchange International Student and Exchange Visitors and AdvisorsVisitors and Advisors

Boston University, March 2005Boston University, March 2005

Attracting International Students Attracting International Students and the Changing U.S. Visa Processand the Changing U.S. Visa Process


SECURE BORDERS / OPEN DOORSSECURE BORDERS / OPEN DOORS

Enhance national security while fostering legitimate travel to Enhance national security while fostering legitimate travel to the United Statesthe United States

PROMOTE INTERNATIONAL STUDY AND PROMOTE INTERNATIONAL STUDY AND SCHOLARSHIP IN AMERICASCHOLARSHIP IN AMERICA

Attract the international students/scholars essential for a Attract the international students/scholars essential for a vibrant U.S. academic, scientific communityvibrant U.S. academic, scientific community

TWO MISSIONS:TWO MISSIONS:


CHANGES SINCE 9/11/2001 IN VISA CHANGES SINCE 9/11/2001 IN VISA POLICY AND PROCESSINGPOLICY AND PROCESSING

• Improved U.S. national security, but -Improved U.S. national security, but -

• Without increased resources, led to delays in student Without increased resources, led to delays in student visa processing visa processing

• Criticized for discouraging international students and Criticized for discouraging international students and exchange visitors from studying in America exchange visitors from studying in America


OTHER FACTORS THAN VISA POLICIES OTHER FACTORS THAN VISA POLICIES AT WORK:AT WORK:

• International Education market more competitive International Education market more competitive globally, competitor nations more aggressive globally, competitor nations more aggressive

• U.S. universities reduce financial support to foreign U.S. universities reduce financial support to foreign studentsstudents

• Some parts of world see the U.S. as less welcomingSome parts of world see the U.S. as less welcoming


PROGRESSPROGRESS

•State Department has made significant progress in State Department has made significant progress in processing student visas more rapidlyprocessing student visas more rapidly

• Now, Now, 97%97% of visa applications processed in one or of visa applications processed in one or two daystwo days

• Recent Government Accounting Office report Recent Government Accounting Office report recognizes improvements in processing Mantis SAOs recognizes improvements in processing Mantis SAOs


PROGRESS ON SENSITIVE PROGRESS ON SENSITIVE TECHNOLOGY CASESTECHNOLOGY CASES

• Only 2% of all applications need further reviewOnly 2% of all applications need further review

• Many “VISA MANTIS” cases used to take weeks or Many “VISA MANTIS” cases used to take weeks or monthsmonths

• Department improves MANTIS processDepartment improves MANTIS process

• One year ago: average MANTIS took 75 days One year ago: average MANTIS took 75 days

• Today: average MANTIS takes less than 14 daysToday: average MANTIS takes less than 14 days


Avg. Time to Clear Mantis SAOs Falls Under 14 daysAvg. Time to Clear Mantis SAOs Falls Under 14 days

71.66

58.08

45.45

56.74

46.42

76.23

39.81

30.78

22.15

14.9615.16

47.57

22.47

21.58

21.62

0.00

10.00

20.00

30.00

40.00

50.00

60.00

70.00

80.00

90.00

Oct-03 Nov-03 Dec-03 Jan-04 Feb-04 Mar-04 Apr-04 May-04 Jun-04 Jul-04 Aug-04 Sep-04 Oct-04 Nov-04 Dec-04 Jan-05

Average Time to Clear in Days

13.12 13.12 daysdays


EXTENSION OF EXTENSION OF VISAS MANTISVISAS MANTIS VALIDITY VALIDITY

• If applying to return to a previous study or work If applying to return to a previous study or work program, another Visas Mantis may not be requiredprogram, another Visas Mantis may not be required

• Students (F visas) – Mantis valid up to length of Students (F visas) – Mantis valid up to length of approved academic program, to maximum of 4 years approved academic program, to maximum of 4 years

• Exchange Visitors (J visas) – Mantis valid up to Exchange Visitors (J visas) – Mantis valid up to duration of approved activity, to maximum of 2 years duration of approved activity, to maximum of 2 years


INVESTMENTSINVESTMENTS

• $1 million to automate interagency clearance process$1 million to automate interagency clearance process

• Every visa post converted to electronic systemEvery visa post converted to electronic system


INCREASED DATA SHARINGINCREASED DATA SHARING

• Terrorist Screening Center provides systematic method Terrorist Screening Center provides systematic method for maintaining terrorist watchlistsfor maintaining terrorist watchlists

• Visa information moves automatically from consular Visa information moves automatically from consular post to immigration inspectors, facilitates entry of post to immigration inspectors, facilitates entry of legitimate travelers by quickly resolving fraud concernslegitimate travelers by quickly resolving fraud concerns

• New systems like SEVIS help facilitate legitimate travel New systems like SEVIS help facilitate legitimate travel – consular officers can put more faith in the I-20– consular officers can put more faith in the I-20


CONSULAR TRAINING EXPANDEDCONSULAR TRAINING EXPANDED

Longer, more intensive training for consular Longer, more intensive training for consular officers, with enhanced emphasis:officers, with enhanced emphasis:

• Interviewing techniquesInterviewing techniques

• Counter-terrorismCounter-terrorism

• Importance of international education Importance of international education exchangesexchanges


BIOMETRICSBIOMETRICS

• Congressional mandateCongressional mandate

• Fingerprint scans, digitized photos for visasFingerprint scans, digitized photos for visas

• Confirms visa holder’s identity – fewer difficulties Confirms visa holder’s identity – fewer difficulties at immigration inspection in U.S.at immigration inspection in U.S.


IMPROVEMENTS IN INFORMATIONIMPROVEMENTS IN INFORMATION

www.travel.state.gov - More visa information, - More visa information, continuously-updated visa appointment, wait timescontinuously-updated visa appointment, wait times


PROMPT SCHEDULING OF VISA PROMPT SCHEDULING OF VISA INTERVIEWSINTERVIEWS

• Priority treatment for student, exchange visitor Priority treatment for student, exchange visitor applicants applicants

• Most student applicants get appointments in daysMost student applicants get appointments in days


INCREASED STAFFINGINCREASED STAFFING

• State Department adds over 2,000 employees above State Department adds over 2,000 employees above attrition in last three yearsattrition in last three years

• More than 350 consular positions added since 9/2001More than 350 consular positions added since 9/2001


ENCOURAGING RESULTSENCOURAGING RESULTS

• Arrivals Jan-Nov 2004 up 11% over same period in 2003Arrivals Jan-Nov 2004 up 11% over same period in 2003

• 14 successive months of growth in international visitors14 successive months of growth in international visitors

• Thanks in part to SEVIS, student issuances are upThanks in part to SEVIS, student issuances are up


SECTION 214(b) INASECTION 214(b) INA

• Applies to all visitor visa applicants, including studentsApplies to all visitor visa applicants, including students

• Applicant must show he has an established residence Applicant must show he has an established residence abroad to which he intends to return after a temporary stay abroad to which he intends to return after a temporary stay in the U.S.in the U.S.

• Great majority of student applicants are approvedGreat majority of student applicants are approved

• Student issuance rate slightly higher than pre-9/11Student issuance rate slightly higher than pre-9/11


SECURE BORDERS/OPEN DOORSSECURE BORDERS/OPEN DOORS

• Protect the borders AND encourage legitimate visitorsProtect the borders AND encourage legitimate visitors

• Build visitors’ confidence: America still a welcoming Build visitors’ confidence: America still a welcoming nation – and still a safe destinationnation – and still a safe destination

• Seek a solid partnership with business and academiaSeek a solid partnership with business and academia

• Attract international students and scholarsAttract international students and scholars


QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?

PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE WORD: PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE WORD:

America welcomes international America welcomes international students and scholars!students and scholars!

united states department of state bureau of consular affairs international student and exchange...

Documents

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