1. Current Issues & Updates Office of Visa Services February, 2017

2. Agenda
Introducing the Visa Office
Visa statistics
Updates

3. The Visa Office and Our Mission

4. The Visa Office

5. Our Mission
To protect America’s borders, while facilitating legitimate travel to the United States.

6. Student and Exchange Visitor Visa Statistics

7. Issued Visas Statistics
F1 Visas
J1 Visas
M1 Visas
FY 2016 – 471,712
FY 2016 – 339,704
FY 2015 – 332,534
FY-2014 – 331,060
FY-2013 – 312,514
FY 2016 – 10,304
FY 2015 – 644,204
FY 2015 – 11,056
FY-2013 – 534,297
FY-2014 – 595,545
FY-2014 – 11,703
FY-2013 – 11,316

8. Top Ten F-1 Visa Countries – FY 2016
China-mainland
India
South Korea
Japan
Saudi Arabia
Vietnam
Mexico
Brazil
Taiwan
Germany
148,014
62,537
25,355
16,666
16,474
15,579
11,678
10,978
9,730 
7,307

9. Updates

10. Embassies and Consulates
New consulate – Porto Alegre, Brazil
Consular Services – Wuhan, China
New Consulate – Belo Horizonte, Brazil

11. Visa Appointment and Processing Wait Times
Travel.state.gov:

12. Interview Waiver Program (IWP)
U.S. Missions tailor IWP to their specific circumstances
Three categories may qualify:
Diplomats/officials
Age-exempt (under 14 and over 79
Renewals within 12 months of visa expiration
For Students – only if returning to same school or program

13. The Interview What is a consular officer looking for? Who you are
What you want to do
How you’re going to
fund it
4. What you intend to
do when you’ve completed your
approved activity

14. Possible Outcomes Visa Issued Visa Refused Most Common Refusals 214(b)
221(g)
212(a)

15. Administrative Processing
“Administrative Processing” is the term we use to encompass any further review of a case beyond the interview. It may include confirmation of the petition, clarification of legalities, or any number of other questions a consular officer must resolve before a visa can be issued.
Administrative processing is unique to the circumstances of each application. Applicants receive specific instructions on what to do/expect.

16. DUIs and Visa Revocations
DUI arrest = visa revocation
Visa applicants must see the panel physician if 1 alcohol-related arrest in the last 5 years, or 2 in the last 10 years.
Public safety issue and possible visa ineligibility

17. Resources and Contact Information

18. Resources Department of State: travel.state.gov educationusa.state.gov
J1visa.state.gov
Department of Homeland Security:
studyinthestates.dhs.gov

19. Visas Homepage - usvisas.state.gov

20. Study and Exchange

21. J-1 Waiver

22. Contact Us Contact the Consular Section
Check the embassy/consulate website for
contact information
Contact the National Visa Center

23. Questions?