Compliance Management

DOS announces its compliance with biometric visa requirementsThe Biometric Visa Program, which began as a pilot on September 22, 2003, became permanent on October 24, 2004 the DOS announced in a December 30, 2004 Federal Register notice. DOS now only

DOS cable on longer Mantis clearances for F, J, L, H, and B visasA February 11, 2005 DOS cable communicates the change in policy that allows consular officers to grant longer validity to Visas Mantis security clearances for F, J,

DOS cable UNCLAS STATE 079909 (April 30, 2005), the Department of State's annual field cable to consular sections, addresses topics such as Data Fixes and SEVI hits, and the SEVIS I-901 fee.

February 9, 2006 DOS cable instructs consular posts that persons applying for initial-entry F-1, F-2, M-1, and M-2 visas may be issued these visas up to 120 days before the program start date as listed on their I-20s. However, new F and M students can still not be admitted to the United States

2006 DOS Student Visa CableThe Department of State's annual “student visa cable,” sent to consular posts on May 3, 2006, reviews prior guidance on student visa issuance.

DOS Discontinues Use of Application Received StampA January 13, 2007 DOS cable notified consular posts to discontinue the practice of indicating nonimmigrant visa refusals with an "Application Received" stamp placed in the passport. This stamp was used to alert other

June 7, 2007 DOS cable guidance subsquently updated by 9 FAM, on how consular officers should handle cases where an applicant's record shows an arrest or conviction for drunk driving or other alcohol-related offense.

DOS cable states that before issuing an H, L, O, P, or Q visa, consular posts must first verify the approval of the underlying petition in PIMS.

Read the meeting summary. Topics discussed in this call: Questions related to PIMS Security Advisory Opinions DS-7002 being erroneously requested for exchange visitors other than trainees/interns Real ID Implementation Questions submitted for the DOS Outreach Meeting in Atlanta 12/12/2007

INS memo on restrictions on study in B statusAn April 12, 2002 INS field memo provides guidance on how the term "course of study" will be interpreted by INS for purposes of the regulatory restriction created by a rule published