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U.S. Visa Policy
Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, we made some changes in our laws governing visitor entry and exit. We now require additional application forms and security clearances. Visa applications take longer to process. At first, many applicants experienced hardship when applications got backlogged and delays became indefinite. Fortunately, we have improved our visa clearance procedures. Better interagency cooperation and automated procedures have speeded up the clearance process. Our goal is to make the visa process not only thorough, but also respectful and efficient. There are some new procedures that you will need to become familiar with. We want to educate and inform you about this process.
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| Copyright 2003 U.S. Department of State | This site is managed by the U.S. Department of State. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein. Privacy Policy |  |
”The United States will make sure that our visa system is a strong one, a secure one, but at the same time, one that encourages people to come to the United States once we’re sure that they are coming here for legitimate purposes -- business, tourism, education. It will require sacrifice, dedication, energy and a great deal of wisdom to maintain this precious balance between our way of life – our openness, our freedom – and the security measures needed to protect our citizens and visitors to the maximum degree possible.”
The U.S. is a free and open society. We welcome citizens from around the world who genuinely want to visit, study, and do business here. We are dedicated to protecting their safety and keeping our doors open to them. Changes in visa procedures reflect our concern for ensuring the safety of U.S. residents and visitors alike, not to make it more difficult for legitimate travelers to enter the United States.