AAAS, Other Groups Recommend Inter-Agency Panel to Expedite Visa Application Decisions

A coalition of 31 science and higher education organizations led by AAAS on 10 June urged the U.S. State Department and the Department of Homeland Security to take a series of steps that could lead to quicker and more reliable processing of visas for visiting scientists, engineers and scholars.

The groups, including the Association of American Universities and the National Academies, called for creation of an inter-agency panel to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of visa-related policies and procedures that were put into place after the terror attacks of 11 September 2001 and designed to enhance national security. The groups also recommend expediting the current backlog of visa applications and streamlining the visa process for graduate students, researchers and other science and technology professionals seeking short-term U.S. visits.

"The time is ripe for a comprehensive high-level review of the cost-effectiveness of existing visa policies and procedures for science and engineering students and exchange visitors," said Albert H. Teich, director of Science and Policy Programs at AAAS.

For more on the joint statement on U.S. visa policy, read the full story.