U.S. visa-issuing posts in China include the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and the Consulates in Shanghai, Guanghzou, Shenyang, and Chengdu. In calendar year 2007, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in china issued 417,146 nonimmigrant visas, a 17% increase over 2006. The vast majority, 417,146 or 69%, were B1/B2 visas (visitors for business and pleasure). Student…
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U.S. Visa Application Fee Increase
NONIMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION FEE WILL INCREASE TO $131 Effective January 1, 2008, the application fee for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa will increase from $100 to $131. Those applicants who paid the prior $100 application fee before January 1, 2008 will be processed without further payment only if they appear for a visa interview before January…
How to Improve America’s Image in the World
In a recent article in Slate, Fred Kaplan summarizes readers’ ideas of how to improve America’s image in the world: Many readers [point out] the rudeness and paranoia on display at U.S. embassies and customs desks. Americans living in Europe say that some of their friends, even those who studied in American universities, refuse to…
Illegal Weapons Exports Highlight Need for Security Checks
The importance of effective Mantis security advisory opinions (SAOs) is highlighted by a recent story by the Associated Press concluding that illegal weapons export continues to be a serious problem for the United States:
GAO Report: Growing Visa Demand a Challenge for State Department
A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office highlights several challenges the State Department faces in keeping up with growing visa demand at consular posts in China. GAO, Border Security: Long-Term Strategy Needed to Keep Pace with Increasing Demand for Visas, GAO-07-847 (July 2007). INACCURATE ESTIMATES OF VISA APPOINTMENT WAIT TIMES One challenge is…