New Iranian Visa Clearance Requirements
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS
SPECIAL EMBASSY PROGRAM
FBI WASHDC 0000
CIA WASHDC 0000
BUJUMBURA POUCH
GUANGZHOU POUCH
SARAJEVO POUCH
TIRANA POUCH
INS CO WASHDC
UNCLAS STATE 075151
VISAS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CVIS, IR.
SUBJECT: REVISED CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR IRANIAN NATIONALS
REF: (A) 96 STATE 214127 (B) STATE 45768
1. Summary: This message provides new clearance requirements for Iranian nationals. The instructions concentrate SAO/name check requirements on residents of Iran and extend the suspend period for Visas Eagle Iran to 30 calendar days. End Summary.
2. Starting on May 1, 1997, posts will apply the clearance requirements outlined below to Iranian visa applications. Applications received before that date are subject to the SAO/name check requirements in REFTEL, which include a 15 working day suspense period for visas eagle requests.
Visas Donkey (Iran)
3. Visas Donkey (Iran) telegrams are required for the following classes of Iranian immigrants and nonimmigrants:
(A) Officials and employees of the Iranian government including the executive, judicial, and legislative branches.
(B) Officers and employees of state owned or state controlled companies.
(C) Iranians engaged in nuclear technology, including employees of nuclear industries, graduate level students in the nuclear field, and persons coming for nuclear-related seminars, conferences, and exchanges.
(D) Lawyers connected to the Iranian claims tribunal in the Hague.
(E) Religious leaders and clergy.
(F) Employees of the Islamic Republic News Agency.
Once a Visas Donkey (Iran) advisory opinion has been submitted, the department’s response is required before issuance.
Visas Eagle - Iran
4. Visas Eagle (Iran) Telegrams shall be submitted for the following categories of Iranian applicants:
Nonimmigrants
(A) All males between the ages of 18 and 65 who are residing in Iran.
(Note: Residence customarily involves a place of permanent domicile. Consular officers should consult VO/L/A if a question arises regarding an Iranian applicant’s purported residence.)
(B) Iranians who have been students in the United States at any time since 1977, or who plan to study in the United States (other than those discussed at para 3 (C) above).
Immigrant Visa Applicants
(A) All males between the ages of 18 and 65 residing in Iran.
(B) All immigrant visa applicants who have lived in the United States for six months or more.
30 day processing for visas eagle (Iran).
5. Posts are authorized to process to conclusion all Visas Eagle (Iran) cases when the department has not responded within 30 calendar days after submission of the name check.
Expedited Handling
6. Visas Eagle (Iran) cables should not be submitted in cases where expeditious handling is required. Rather, posts should send requests for expedited handling under the Visa Donkey (Iran) format, and only when circumstances indicate the need for urgent medical treatment or compelling USG interest.
Official Travel - Visas Bear (Iran)
7. A Visas Bear (Iran) telegram shall be submitted for all Iranian A, C-3, and G visa applicants. Once a visas bear (Iran) advisory opinion has been requested, the Department’s response is required prior to issuance.
8. In NIV cases, the consular officer should only implement the name check requirements outlined above after determining that the applicant is otherwise eligible for a visa.
9. Minimize considered.
Madelaine Albright
Note: Pouch addressees protected by IM/SO