From Ruth Thor Nelson, dated Thu 8/29/2002 3:52 PM
The Department of State (DOS) has posted a notice on its website relating to
serious delays in the processing of nonimmigrant visas. These delays are
significant in length and are impacting all US consular posts and applicants of
all nationalities. The DOS advises that non-immigrant visa (NIV) applications
are now subject to a greater degree of scrutiny than prior to Sept. 11, and visa
applicants are asked for their understanding and are advised to expect
substantial delays. The notice is found at: http://travel.state.gov/specialnotice.html
. The text of the notice is also pasted below.
CONSIDERATIONS:
-- Visa processing at the Vancouver consulate or another post in Canada. An
appointment is required and may be made on- line at https://www.nvars.com/use/wWelcome.jsp.
Drop-in applicants are not accepted (except Canadian citizens and landed
immigrants). If your application is likely to result in a denial, you will be
advised and the appointment will be cancelled.
-- E, H, I, L, O and P visa holders should consider obtaining renewal visas
through the State Department's Revalidation Service. Information is at http://travel.state.gov/revals.html.
Turn around time can be lengthy. Applicants will want to enclose a prepaid
return courier envelop in case of sudden, emergency travel.
-- A review of processing information is included on most US embassy and
consulate web sites. Access these posts at http://travel.state.gov/links.html to
preview notices and application options and methods before traveling.
-- Re-valuate your need to travel and the consequences of delayed processing at
this time. In the past, xc's of air line tickets and information on the business
nature of the trip and the use of contract funds have been helpful when enclosed
with visa applications. However, this current situation and the protocols being
applied are unique and may not allow flexibility by consular officers regardless
of programmatic need or personal circumstance.
It is important to please remember that it is the individual's responsibility to
obtain and to maintain an appropriate status to remain or to enter the US.
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Notice on Current Visa Processing Situation
Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the State Department has been
engaged with other U.S. government agencies in an extensive and ongoing review
of visa issuing practices as they relate to the security of our borders and our
nation.
Through the use of supplemental application forms and other measures, visa
applications are now subject to a greater degree of scrutiny than in the past.
This scrutiny means that visa applications in some instances take longer to
process to conclusion than has been customary. We recognize that individual
applicants may experience inconvenience and hardship if their application takes
longer to process than they expected. We are doing everything possible to meet
the legitimate needs of prospective travelers consistent with the priority we
must attach to our security and legal responsibilities.
While our consular officers strive to offer visa applicants as expeditious
service as possible, their primary responsibility is to carry out U.S. law and
to ensure that applicants to whom they issue visas will not pose a threat to the
safety and security of the United States and its inhabitants. This is a serious
responsibility that must take precedence over other considerations pertaining to
a visa application.
We realize that these necessary security measures may affect the travel plans of
visa applicants, especially individuals intending to enroll in or continue
college and university studies in the United States. We will make every attempt
to meet the legitimate needs of prospective travelers to the United States,
consistent with the priority of our security and legal responsibilities. We
recommend that individuals build in ample time before their planned travel date
when seeking to obtain a visa.
Special security screening procedures affect a limited number of prospective
travelers. Our goal is to have assured security within a system that is
responsive to everyone wishing to visit the United States. However, delays in
processing of visas will continue to occur as the Department of State, working
with other agencies, brings new information systems on line. Responding to the
attacks of September 11, 2001, Congress ordered that security inadequacies be
identified and addressed. By legislative instruction, some of this work was
specifically to be accomplished by the first anniversary of the attacks. That
work is in course now in accordance with those instructions.
The time needed for adjudication of individual cases will continue to be
difficult to predict, as necessary new procedures are refined. Visa applicants
affected by these procedures are informed of the need for additional screening
at the time of application and should expect substantial delays of six to eight
weeks or more before a visa can be issued.
We trust that affected applicants will understand that this waiting period is
necessary as we strive to make every effort to ensure the safety and security of
the United States for all who are here, including foreign visitors.