Visa Processing Progress

After many months of NAFSA advocacy on the topic, we are starting to see vast improvements in visa processing. The Department of State (DOS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have shared details of their joint efforts to streamline visa processing and of the effects such measures are beginning to have.

• View NAFSA Visa Policy Recommendations for details on progress made in response to specific recommendations
  

Improvements in Security Advisory

Opinion Processing DOS has recently released data showing dramatic improvements in Security Advisory Opinion ("SAO") processing times. In July 2003, NAFSA shared its recommendations for improving the visa issuance process with DOS – and provided very specific recommendations for improving the SAO process in April of this year. The adoption of many of our recommendations has resulted in a much more predictable and streamlined SAO process.

This document contains data on the following topics:

• Decline in the number of pending Mantis SAO requests.
• Declines in Mantis SAO backlogs.
• Declines in Mantis SAO processing times.
• Increases in the percentage of Mantis SAOs cleared.

To our knowledge, there has been no new guidance to consular officials about the submission of security advisory opinion (SAO) requests. Therefore, we can expect SAO caseloads to be high. However, because DOS has made progress in convincing other involved agencies to work on their turn-around times, average wait times are much shorter.

Visa Interview Wait Times - Now Available Online

DOS is now publishing the average wait times for nonimmigrant visa interviews and average wait times for the processing of nonimmigrant visa applications. Wait times are listed by post.

DOS also reminded posts via cable that Fs, Ms, and Js have priority for interviews. DOS has expressed its intent to continue this preference indefinitely.

• Visit the Department of State site for more information