GAO Report Highlights Progress with Visas Mantis Program, Further Refinements Needed

On February 18, 2005, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report titled Border Security: Streamlined Visas Mantis Program Has Lowered Burden on Foreign Science Students and Scholars, But Further Refinements Needed. It details the significant progress made by the Department of State (DOS), along with other government agencies, to alleviate unnecessary Visas Mantis security check delays in the visa issuance process for students and scholars in the sciences.

This report follows a February 2004 GAO report which detailed significant and unnecessary delays in the processing of Visas Mantis cases. According to the GAO, average processing times have been reduced from 67 days in 2003 to about 15 days in 2004, as DOS, along with other government agencies, has worked to coordinate and streamline visa issuance processing. These improvements included developing an electronic tracking system for Mantis cases, providing additional support and guidance for consular posts, clarifying responsibilities of agencies involved in Mantis clearances, and continuing to emphasize priority for student and scholar visa interviews at all consular posts. Additionally, earlier this month, DOS announced the extension of validity of Visas Mantis clearances for students (up to four years) and scholars (up to two years). However, the report goes on to note that further improvements are needed, such as setting firm milestones for fully connecting all agencies involved with Mantis clearances to DOS’s electronic tracking system, and providing additional guidance to consular officers on the Visas Mantis program.

NAFSA welcomes the improvements in the Visas Mantis process, which we have long advocated for along with colleague associations. Still, much more remains to be done if we are to reverse current trends and regain a leadership position in the global competition for the world’s brightest minds. We need a national strategy that will make recruiting international students and scholars a priority for the country and will mobilize leaders from government, the private sector, and universities on behalf of that goal.

Related Materials

• The Conflict Between Science and Security in Visa Policy, 2004 GAO Report
• In America's Interest, 2003 Report from NAFSA's