Date:30/05/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/05/30/stories/2004053000640500.htm

Back US urged to extend validity of Visa Mantis security clearances

Vinson Kurian

Thiruvananthapuram , May 29

THE US Government has been requested to extend the validity of Visas Mantis security clearances for international students, scholars and scientists from the current one-year time period to the duration of their course of study or academic appointment.

This is the first among the six practical recommendations that science, higher-education and engineering groups, representing some 95 per cent of the US research community, have recommended to the Bush administration with a view to solving the current visa processing crisis.

Repetitive security checks have been found to cause lengthy visa issuance delays.

The recommendations are designed to combat "the misperception that the US does not welcome international students, scholars and scientists", according to a joint statement by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world's largest general science society, the Association of American Universities (AAU) and other top groups.

The following are the other five problems pertaining to visa processing and recommendations on how to deal with each:

Problem: Inefficient visa renewal process that causes lengthy delays. Recommendation: Establish a timely process by which exchange visitors holding F and J visas can revalidate their visas, or at least begin the visa renewal process, before they leave for the US to attend academic and scientific conferences, visit family, or attend to personal business.

Problem: Lack of transparency and priority processing in the visa system. Recommendation: Create a mechanism by which visa applicants and their sponsors may inquire about the status of pending visa applications, and establish a process by which applications pending for more than 30 days are given priority processing.

Problem: Inconsistent treatment of visa applications.

Recommendation: Provide updated training of consular staff, establish clear protocols for initiating a Visas Mantis review, and ensure that screening tools are being used in the most appropriate manner.

Problem: Repetitive processing of visa applications for those with a proven track record.

Recommendation: Revise visa reciprocity agreements between the US and key sending countries to extend the duration of visas each country grants to citizens of the other, thereby reducing the number of times that visiting international students, scholars, and scientists must renew their visas.

Problem: Potential new impediment to international students, scholars and scientists entering the US created by proposed SEVIS fee collection mechanism.

Recommendation: Implement a fee-collection system for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) that allows for a variety of simple fee payment methods that are quick, safe and secure, including payment after the individual arrives in the US.