State Department: Tourist Visa Processing Backlogs Persist at U.S. Consulates
NSIAD-98-69
Published: Mar 13, 1998. Publicly Released: Mar 13, 1998.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed how Department of State consulates process visas for visitors (nonimmigrants) to the United States, focusing on the: (1) extent and nature of visa processing backlogs in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and at other consulates; (2) factors affecting consulates' ability to process nonimmigrant visas in a timely manner; and (3) activities planned or under way to improve nonimmigrant visa processing.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of State | To determine the appropriate level and mix of resources needed and to take full advantage of ongoing efforts to improve visa operations, the Secretary of State should develop timeliness standards for processing nonimmigrant visas. |
Closed – Not Implemented
State indicated in its official agency comments that it would undertake establishment of desirable timeliness goals, in response to GAO's recommendation. However, in June 1999, State officials told GAO that State no longer intends to implement the recommendation due to resource constraints. The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Visa Services said that State tried to begin implementing the recommendation but decided that it could not establish timeliness standards without being able to guarantee posts that it could provide the necessary additional resources to meet such standards. The Deputy Assistant Secretary indicated that State might revisit the recommendation in the future, if the agency's Consular Affairs Bureau were to gain control of the staffing allocation process for consular personnel at overseas posts. State's geographic bureaus manage this process. The Deputy Assistant Secretary could not assess the likelihood of such a change taking place.
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Topics
NoncitizensTerroristsConsulatesInternational travelStaff utilizationVisasHuman resources managementNonimmigrant visasNonimmigrant visasBrazil