DOS to Review Visa Procedures
Posted Jul 26, 2002

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has ordered a comprehensive review of the visa issuance process at all U.S. consular posts worldwide. DOS is facing congressional pressure, as some in Congress believe that visa issuance authority should be with the Department of Homeland Security.

In addition to the general review of procedures, the DOS plans to have special inspections at consulates in countries that may have links to terrorism. Additionally, there is a move toward requiring interviews for all adult visa applicants and eliminating the "Visa Express" program that allows travel agencies to forward applications for visas to the consulates for review. DOS emphasized that, with the Visa Express program, the decisions regarding issuance of visas remain solely with the Consular Officers. They also clarified that the consulates personally interview many people utilizing the Visa Express program. In the case of Saudi Arabia, the DOS released figures that, despite rumors that almost all visas are granted without interviews, approximately 45% of applicants in Saudi Arabia, using the Visa Express program, were personally interviewed. According to DOS, most of those who were not interviewed were infants and children.

With DOS in a defensive posture, we may expect to see some changes in the visa issuance process in the near future. The MurthyBulletin and MurthyDotCom will continue to advise readers of important developments. Individuals applying for visas should consult websites of the particular consulate for procedures or the U.S. Department of State WebSite.