FOREIGN
STUDENTS ARE WELCOME“Foreign students have always been -- and still are
-- welcome to study in
the United States. The tragedy of 9/11 showed the importance
of emphasizing national security, but that does not mean
we want to discourage legitimate students from coming here
to study. We value the diversity and richness they bring
to American campuses and society. Although long-standing
visa laws and regulations are followed rigorously, and new
visa procedures have been introduced since 9/11, the impact
on students is always carefully considered.
Students are subject to the same law as other temporary
visitors, who must convince a consular officer they intend
to return to their home country after they finish their
course of study. They also must show they are able to pay
for their education, either from family funds or from grants
or other sources, and that they truly intend to pursue a
course of study.
The number of student visa applicants dropped dramatically
after 9/11, as did visa applications in all categories.
Visa-issuing posts received 15 percent fewer student visa
applications in fiscal year 2002 than they had the year
before. The drop in the number of student applicants was
typical of visa applicants across the board.
Since August 1, all embassies and consulates worldwide
have followed a uniform policy about who may be excused
from a visa interview. There are few exceptions, and this
procedure applies to all non-immigrant visa applicants,
not just to students. Although visa interviews are brief,
they are an important step in ensuring security and integrity
in visa issuance. At Congress's direction, as of October
26, 2004, all visa applicants will need to provide a biometric
identifier that can be encrypted on the
Visas that are issued.
All of our visa-adjudicating posts were asked months ago
to give special consideration to students in scheduling
visa interviews, so they will not miss the opening of the
school semester. Many embassies and consulates around the
world have opened special windows for students and exchange
visitors, which can reduce the wait for an interview considerably.
Others, where possible, have not required students to have
appointments at all.
Some visa applicants, fewer than two percent of the total
applying, must wait for Washington to complete an interagency
security advisory review, which includes checking all appropriate
records. More than 90 percent of those reviews are completed
in less than three weeks. Students who are studying or working
in certain scientific fields might have to wait longer,
but security reviews for transfer of technology are not
new and were a visa-processing fixture long before 9/11.
Checking U.S. Government records for information about students
and visitors working in strategically sensitive fields is
a serious responsibility. The fact that someone is working
in one of these fields does not mean he or she will be denied
a
visa, but it does mean he or she should apply early enough
to allow time for
the needed background checks. Both the applicants and their
U.S. hosts must
be aware of the need for these additional checks and plan
accordingly.
Visa policies are designed to maximize security of the
United States while encouraging legitimate visitors, including
students, to come to this country. The twin goals of secure
borders/open door are nowhere more meaningful than in our
desire to attract the best students worldwide to the United
States. We hope they and their home countries will benefit
from the knowledge and outstanding education America's
Universities can offer the world.”
By Maura Harty, Assistant Secretary of State for Consular
Affairs
