Growing Visa Delays Hamper Educational Exchange, Survey Finds

Results of a recent survey of international educators nationwide reflect the complex and still-emerging picture of international student and scholar flows to the United States in the post-September 11 environment. The survey, which polled 331 institutions during the month of October, focused on application, enrollment, and visa delay trends and was conducted jointly by NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the Association of American Universities (AAU), and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC).

While acknowledging and expressing appreciation for steps taken by the Department of State to expedite visa processing for students and exchange visitors, survey respondents consistently registered their concern that the United States may be on the threshold of a downward trend in the number of international students and scholars, and emphasized three major points: 1) a continuing lack of transparency and reliability in the visa process, for both new applicants and returning students and scholars; 2) the potential ripple effect of an apparent dip in the number of new international students at some institutions; and 3) the need to address increasingly negative perceptions on the part of potential students by establishing a clear and consistent national policy of promoting and facilitating international educational exchanges.

Data from the entire sample of 331 institutions surveyed suggest some decline in international student enrollment at U.S. higher education institutions. Nearly two-thirds of respondents (64%) reported that the number of new and continuing international students for fall 2003 were steady or down when compared with fall 2002, and a nearmajority (47%) reported declines. This apparent decline in enrollments occurred despite the fact that applications were reported to be relatively steady. Numbers of international scholars also appear to be steady; roughly half the respondents reported no noticeable change over last year, while roughly a quarter saw an increase and another quarter reported a decrease. These overall survey results suggest that the healthy rates of growth
in international student and scholar numbers of recent years is leveling off and, at some institutions, experiencing a decline.

It is important to note that the data submitted by major research institutions – analyzed in detail by our colleague associations – indicate a somewhat more positive picture in some areas. Those results can be viewed by accessing the attached materials. Survey results also clearly indicate a continuing problem with regard to students and scholars missing program start dates and important conferences and meetings due to visa delays. Those institutions reporting on visa delay cases indicated a notable increase in such visa delay cases over the fall of 2002.

NAFSA strongly supports vigorous security measures to protect Americans. NAFSA also firmly believes that openness to legitimate international students and scholars is an integral component of U.S. security policy and advances important national interests of the United States. Current trends indicate that the numbers of international students and scholars in the United States, which had been steadily growing over the past several years, is experiencing stagnation and some decline, and suggest that continuing visa processing problems and the perceptions of prospective students may negatively impact future flows. To address this situation, NAFSA recommends:

1. Establishment of a proactive, coordinated national policy that articulates the important contributions of international students and scholars to the national interest and sets out a strategy to ensure that the United States remains the destination of choice for the world’s future leaders. In its recent report, In America’s Interest: Welcoming International Students, a blue-ribbon task force convened by NAFSA set out recommendations for developing such a policy.
   
   For further details, read NAFSA's report In America's Interest: Welcoming International Students
   
   
2. Establishment of a balanced visa processing system that serves the long-term U.S. interest in both preventing entry to those would do harm and welcoming legitimate visitors. Such a policy must include:
   
   • Providing the necessary resources to the agencies charged with carry out visa policy, and managing within those resources
   • Focusing efforts on applicants who require special screening, and providing more expeditious service for those who present no special risk
   • Creating a timely, transparent and predictable visa process that includes specific, effective time guidelines
   For further details, read the press release.