GAO Study Finds Delays for Science Students and Scholars
Posted Mar 12, 2004

The General Accounting Office (GAO) released a report in February 2004 for the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Science, that is important for foreign national science students and scholars. The report indicates that improvements are needed to decrease the delays that science students and scholars face when trying to obtain visas to enter the U.S. The study found that science students and scholars are subject to security-related checks, referred to as Visa Mantis checks, which take an average of 67 days to clear. The GAO also concluded that the lengthiest delays occur in China, India, and Russia.

The U.S. consulate in Chennai, India, informed the GAO researchers that, in the summer of 2003, science students and scholars had to wait as long as 12 weeks for visa interviews. One U.S. consular officer at Chennai informed the GAO that he recommends any student who may be subject to the Visa Mantis security checks should apply for his or her visa two to three months in advance, or risk delays in attending school in the United States.

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) commented to the GAO that they are working to improve the Visa Mantis checks to reduce the processing time for science students and scholars. The GAO recommended that the DOS implement these changes, as well as other changes. We are hopeful that the House Committee will carefully consider this report and propose legislation that will facilitate shorter waiting periods for security checks. Implementation of the report's findings should aid all students seeking visas, not just science students and scholars.