DOS Cable on Posting Visa Information on Consular Post Websites
P 241701Z AUG 04
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS PRIORITY
SPECIAL EMBASSY PROGRAM
AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE
AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
UNCLAS STATE 181968
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CVIS, CMGT
SUBJECT: KEY VISA PROCESSING INFORMATION ON POST WEBSITES
REF: State 161030
1. This message has been cleared by SEP.
2. This is an action message. See action request in paragraph 4.
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Background
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3. REFTEL announced the Department decision to make certain information on visa appointment and processing available on post Websites, in an effort to make the visa application process more understandable to both the foreign and U.S. public. Additionally, these instructions explained that specified wait time information currently in CCD in Post Workflow Statistics will be extracted to be source data for the post Website wait information, to be displayed in a central location in travel.state.gov, updated weekly. Post Websites will link to this central wait time information.
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Action Requested
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4. REFTEL paragraph 8 explained the link to travel.state.gov would be forthcoming, for posts to link page 1 of their Websites to the centralized visa wait time information. Post are now requested to complete preparation for post Website information to reflect the August 20, 2004 start-up of the Internet visa wait time information. Here is the needed CA Website link: ../../tempvisitors_wait.htm
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Visa Wait Time Information- User Access on travel.state.gov
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5. We anticipate that many visa applicants will seek visa wait time information through post Websites. Since some Website users may seek to access this visa wait time information through travel.state.gov, it will also be accessible to the public through the Visa Services navigation bar selection item (left hand side) named "Temporary Visitors to the US - Visa Wait Times". On travel.state.gov, we will encourage users to look at post websites to see what special procedures are in place for students, exchange visitors and those who need an earlier appointment.
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Clarification - Internet Wait Times Shown in Days
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6. As described in REFTEL, CA/EX/CSD will now extract from the CCD system a selected portion of the existing Post Workflow Statistics information, update it weekly and make this available in a central location on the Internet through the CA Website, travel.state.gov. This was done beginning August 20, 2004. Please note that CSD will display all wait times in days. This supersedes REFTEL para 3, which had anticipated that days entered in CCD would be converted to weeks by CSD for the Internet. We do plan to convert days to weeks at some point in the future, by modifying the manner in which information is entered into CCD.
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Questions & Answers (Q&A)
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Several questions have been received from posts, which we are sharing, as well as our response.
7. Does Average Visa Processing Time include courier time?
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No, it is not intended to include courier handling and delivery timeframes, since they are out of posts' responsibility and control. The Average Visa Processing Time was defined in REFTEL para 7 as "number of working days after a consular officer decision to issue a visa, for the passport with visa to be returned to applicants at the consular section or by courier, (as applicable)." This processing time encompasses the workdays required for the consular section to issue the visa at the consular section and make the passport and visa available for pick-up by the applicant or courier. We rely on posts to enter information into Post Workflow Statistics in CCD within these parameters, since CCD is the source data for the Website information.8. Does Average Visa Processing Time include SAO processing time or administrative processing time?
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No. The definition of Average Visa Processing Time does not include SAO processing for other administrative processing time, since these cases are 221(g) refusals in the adjudication process. However, we do understand that some visa applicants may misunderstand this, and feel that the visa has been approved after the interview. With regard to applicants not understanding, we heartily encourage both outreach and conoffs ongoing efforts to explain this distinction at the end of the visa applicant's interview, when additional processing is required.
With regard to post Websites, REFTEL para 6 requests that post Websites include a disclaimer and explanation about clearance and administrative processing time. Since we understand applicants may have questions about this issue, we are placing a paragraph about special clearances and administrative processing time, as one overall, worldwide metric, on the travel.state.gov central wait time information.
9. My post has an appointment system with a link on Posts Website. Is this adequate?
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We appreciate and are encouraged that many posts have excellent appointment systems, some of which are accessible through posts Website. Nonetheless, visa information requested REFTEL must be displayed following guidance provided. While continuing to reflect your current information, REFTEL asks posts to add the requested nonimmigrant visa appointment wait time and processing time information to page 1 of posts Websites.
10. Any questions or concerns may be sent to VO/P/I.
11. Posts' assistance is greatly appreciated.
POWELL