Chennai on Security Requirements and Visa Issuance
Posted Aug 30, 2002

The U.S. Consulate at Chennai, India issued a notification on August 21, 2002 stating that there are delays in the visa issuance process due to security considerations. All consulates are currently undergoing detailed reviews of their visa issuance practices, to determine whether additional security measures are needed. Such changes include possible upgrading of the information technology infrastructure. Once such changes are identified, they will need to be implemented.

Since these requirements apply to all consulates, the situation in Chennai is just one example of the experience at U.S. consulates worldwide. Since the new security form, known as the DS-158, is required for F-1s (academic students), M-1s (vocational students), and J-1s (exchange visitors, such as visiting scholars and medical residents), persons in these visa categories are the most likely to experience delays. The target date for some of these efforts is September 11, 2002; therefore, the security reviews are taking place at the same time as the start of the academic year. The Chennai consulate has noted that the delays are especially difficult for students and advises all visa applicants to plan ahead in order to submit their visa applications as much in advance as possible.

While recognizing that the delays will be problematic for applicants, the Consulate asks the public to understand the importance of these security efforts. "While our consular officers strive to offer visa applicants as expeditious service as possible, their primary responsibility is to carry out U.S. law and to ensure that applicants to whom they issue visas will not pose a threat to the safety and security of the United States and its inhabitants. … Our goal is to have assured security within a system that is responsive to everyone wishing to visit the United States."

Note that delays will not necessarily affect all types of cases. For those cases affected by the security review, applicants will be informed that additional screening will be needed. Such screening can increase the processing time by approximately 6 to 8 weeks. The U.S. Department of State is working to make new information systems available to Consular Officers.