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Overview |
Potential Delays in Visa Issuance and at Ports of Entry
Security checks and the requirement to have an appointment for an interview are the primary causes for delays. The Department of State's (DOS) web information on non-immigrant visas is a good source of current information:
Another useful source is the the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Refer to their fact sheet:
VISA INTERVIEW REQUIREMENT All nonimmigrants require a visa appointment. Note that appointments for "F" students and "J" Exchange Visitors have priority over other classifications. SEVIS REQUIREMENTS The I-20 form for F-1 visa applicants and the DS-2019 form for J-1 visa applicants are processed and issued through the internet-based Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS). Visa officers are required to verify your record—and that of any dependents—in the SEVIS system before a visa can be approved. Occasionally, there may be some SEVIS data transfer problems between the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State. In the unlikely event the visa officer is unable to access your record in SEVIS and you have a SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019, please contact the ISSO by email, phone or fax to alert us to the problem so we can follow up on it. TECHNOLOGIES ALERT LIST AND SENSITIVE AREAS OF STUDY Students, faculty and researchers who are considered to be studying, researching or teaching "sensitive areas" as determined by the U.S. government may also be required to undergo security clearances before a visa can be issued. There is a document called the "Technology Alert List" that visa officers consult for this purpose. China, India, Israel, Pakistan and Russia have received special mention by the U.S. State Department in the context of this list because these countries are considered to possess nuclear capability that is of concern to U.S. national security. However, even if you are not a citizen of one of the countries listed above, your field of study (especially if it is in the sciences, technology or engineering) might require your visa application to undergo a security clearance REGARDLESS of the country you are from. Such clearances can add weeks to the amount of time needed for visa approval. There are fifteen broad subject areas listed on the Technology Alert List, with detailed specializations within each broad area. Further information can be found at FORM DS-157: SUPPLEMENTAL NONIMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION This Department of State form supplements the DS-156 application for a non-immigrant visa. It is required of all males (except those with diplomatic status) between the ages of 16 and 45, and may be requested of any visa applicant, regardless of age, gender, or nationality (http://travel.state.gov/visa/laws/telegrams/telegrams_1432.html). In addition to completion of this form, the DOS continues to require a further security check for men from countries with large Muslim populations. NAME CHECK BY DOS AND DHS The "name check lookup" is conducted by the State Department at the time of visa application and by the Department of Homeland Security at the port of entry—irrespective of whether the visitor holds a valid visa. This name check has recently resulted in unexpected and severe problems for non-immigrants—some arising from previous overstay(s), others from discovery of a record of illegal activity in the United States, and others because of mistaken name matches with listings in the database. SPECIAL REGISTRATION PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN FOREIGN NATIONALS Since September 11, 2002, certain
non-immigrants were required to be fingerprinted and photographed at district
immigration offices and U.S. ports of entry. Special Registrants are also
subject to departure procedures from ports of entry specifically designated
for departure control. (These ports of entry with accompanying phone numbers
are listed in the "walkaway material" link at the end of this
section.) If you undergo Special
Registration when you arrive, failure to comply with ongoing requirements
has severe consequences. Requirements are described at http://www.ice.gov/pi/specialregistration/index.htm.
You are urged to contact the ISSO if you have any questions. Last Reviewed: 01
August 2007 Last modified: 01 August 2007 |