Classification : UNCLASSIFIED
Post/MRN : SECSTATE WASHDC 159978
DTG : 212040Z AUG 02
Subject : PRESS AND PUBLIC GUIDANCE ON CURRENT VISA
Precedence : Priority

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159978
SOURCE: DISKETTE.022510
DRAFTED BY: CA/VO/L/C:RCBEER:RCB -- 08/21/02 31246
APPROVED BY: CA/VO:GCLANNON
CA/VO:CBARRY   CA/VO/F:MREGAN   CA/P:EDICKENS
CA/VO/L:EODOM  CA/VO/P:LPIASCIK    CA/P:EVAZQUEZ
M:EROONEY   PA/PRS:JMRESIDE  AF:CSNYDER
EAP/P:KNBAILES  EUR/PPD:ASONEAL  S/ES-O: SAROSENBERRY  
SA/PD:SCHOVANEC
NEA/PPD:DHMACINNES
WHA/PPD:RAZIMMERMAN
ECA:PHARRISON
                  ------------------DC547A  212047Z /38    
P 212040Z AUG 02
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS PRIORITY
SPECIAL EMBASSY PROGRAM
AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 
AMEMBASSY KABUL 

UNCLAS STATE 159978

FOR CONSULAR SECTION CHIEFS AND PAOS

E.O. 12958: N/A

TAGS: CVIS, KPAO

SUBJECT: PRESS AND PUBLIC GUIDANCE ON CURRENT VISA
PROCESSING SITUATION

1.  DEPARTMENT IS AWARE THAT POSTS ARE RECEIVING INQUIRIES
ABOUT VISA PROCESSING TIMES IN GENERAL, AS WELL AS ABOUT
THE STATUS OF SPECIFIC PENDING CASES.  POSTS MAY AT THEIR
DISCRETION DISSEMINATE THE TEXT OF THE GUIDANCE BELOW TO
INFORM THE HOST COUNTRY PUBLIC ABOUT THE CURRENT VISA
PROCESSING SITUATION.  IT MAY ALSO BE USED IN RESPONSE TO
GENERAL INQUIRIES ABOUT VISA PROCESSING, AND AS BACKGROUND
IN RESPONDING TO CASE-SPECIFIC INQUIRIES.

2.  BEGIN TEXT. 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, 2002, 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.
END TEXT.

3.  MINIMIZE CONSIDERED.
POWELL


UNCLASSIFIED