State Department: Backlogs of Tourist Visas at U.S. Consulates
NSIAD-92-185
Published: Apr 30, 1992. Publicly Released: May 14, 1992.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed U.S. consulates' tourist visa processing, focusing on whether: (1) other U.S. consulates than the one in Sao Paulo, Brazil had visa backlogs; (2) consulates had enough resources for visa processing; and (3) tourism promotion is a Department of State priority.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of State | If analyses indicate that the imposition of a new nonimmigrant tourist visa fee could result in funding for more cost-effective and efficient visa processing, the Secretary of State should seek legislative authority to implement a pilot program enabling consulates to use new nonimmigrant tourist visa fees to augment existing consular resources. |
Closed – Implemented
State agreed with the recommendation, but does not plan to implement it at this time. Congress has required State to study whether consular affairs can be made self-supporting. This study involves many complex legal and political considerations. As part of the study, State will be looking at the feasibility of the recommendation.
|
| Department of State | Because good communications with travel industry representatives and foreign commercial officers should help consulates handle increased visa work loads during peak tourist seasons, the Secretary of State should direct that the next revision of the Consular Management Handbook emphasize that consular officers maintain regular communication with host country travel industry representatives in all countries. |
Closed – Implemented
State agreed with the recommendation and authorized a position for revising the Consular Management Handbook. Two people were initially assigned to do the revision, but have been reassigned to higher priority work. State does not know if or when it will be able to implement the recommendation.
|
| Department of State | The Secretary of State should ensure that the handbook describes the time-saving techniques used by some consulates as discussed in this report. |
Closed – Implemented
State agreed with the recommendation and authorized a position for revising the Consular Management Handbook. Two people were initially assigned to do the revision, but have been reassigned to higher priority work. State does not know if or when it will be able to implement the recommendation.
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Topics
Americans employed abroadConsulatesFeesStaff utilizationInternational travelVisasHuman capital managementNonimmigrant visasIndustry representativesEmbassies