United States Department of State United States Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs Bureau of Consular Affairs Attracting International Students Attracting International Students and the Changing U.S. Visa Process and the Changing U.S. Visa Process
United States Department of State United States Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs Bureau of Consular Affairs TWO MISSIONS: TWO MISSIONS: SECURE BORDERS / OPEN DOORS SECURE BORDERS / OPEN DOORS Enhance national security, foster legitimate travel to the U.S. Enhance national security, foster legitimate travel to the U.S. PROMOTE INTERNATIONAL STUDY AND PROMOTE INTERNATIONAL STUDY AND SCHOLARSHIP IN AMERICA SCHOLARSHIP IN AMERICA Attract the international students/scholars essential for a Attract the international students/scholars essential for a vibrant U.S. academic, scientific community vibrant U.S. academic, scientific community
United States Department of State United States Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs Bureau of Consular Affairs CHANGES IN VISA POLICY CHANGES IN VISA POLICY AND PROCESSING AND PROCESSING • Actions improved U.S. national security, but - Actions improved U.S. national security, but - • Led to delays in student visa processing Led to delays in student visa processing • Criticized for discouraging international students and Criticized for discouraging international students and exchange visitors from studying in America exchange visitors from studying in America
United States Department of State United States Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs Bureau of Consular Affairs OTHER FACTORS THAN VISA OTHER FACTORS THAN VISA POLICIES AT WORK: POLICIES AT WORK: • International education market more competitive International education market more competitive globally, competitor nations more aggressive in recruiting globally, competitor nations more aggressive in recruiting • U.S. universities more costly, with less financial support U.S. universities more costly, with less financial support for foreign students for foreign students • Some parts of world see the U.S. as less welcoming Some parts of world see the U.S. as less welcoming
United States Department of State United States Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs Bureau of Consular Affairs PROGRESS PROGRESS • State Department has made significant progress in State Department has made significant progress in processing student visas more rapidly processing student visas more rapidly 97% of all visa applicants who are approved • Now, 97% Now, of all visa applicants who are approved receive their visas in one or two days receive their visas in one or two days • Recent GAO report recognizes improvements in visa Recent GAO report recognizes improvements in visa process process
United States Department of State United States Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs Bureau of Consular Affairs PROMPT SCHEDULING OF PROMPT SCHEDULING OF VISA INTERVIEWS VISA INTERVIEWS • State Department instructs posts to give priority State Department instructs posts to give priority treatment to student, exchange visitor applicants treatment to student, exchange visitor applicants • Most student applicants get appointments in days Most student applicants get appointments in days
United States Department of State United States Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs Bureau of Consular Affairs ISSUANCE CRITERIA: SECTION 214(b) ISSUANCE CRITERIA: SECTION 214(b) INA STILL APPLIES INA STILL APPLIES • Applies to all visitor visa applicants, including students Applies to all visitor visa applicants, including students • Applicants must show they have an established residence Applicants must show they have an established residence abroad to which they intend to return after a temporary abroad to which they intend to return after a temporary stay in the U.S. stay in the U.S. • Great majority of student applicants are approved Great majority of student applicants are approved
United States Department of State United States Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs Bureau of Consular Affairs MISSIONS REMAIN THE SAME MISSIONS REMAIN THE SAME • Protect the borders AND encourage legitimate visitors Protect the borders AND encourage legitimate visitors • Build visitors’ confidence: America still a welcoming Build visitors’ confidence: America still a welcoming nation – and still a safe destination nation – and still a safe destination • Seek a solid partnership with business and academia Seek a solid partnership with business and academia • Attract international students and scholars Attract international students and scholars
United States Department of State United States Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs Bureau of Consular Affairs PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE WORD: PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE WORD: America welcomes international America welcomes international students and scholars! students and scholars! QUESTIONS? QUESTIONS?
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