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State Department: Tourist Visa Processing Backlogs Persist at U.S. Consulates

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Report Type Reports and Testimonies
Report Date March 13, 1998
Report No. NSIAD-98-69
Subject
Summary:

Visa processing backlogs are a problem for some U.S. consulates, including the one in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The visa backlogs at the consulates GAO reviewed ranged from eight to 52 days. The longest delays occurred during peak travel periods, such as the summer months and winter holiday season. Factors that affected the consulates' ability to process nonimmigrant visas promptly included inadequate staffing as well as poor computer systems and other equipment. An increased emphasis on preventing the entry of illegal immigrants, terrorists, and other criminals also led to delays. The State Department has initiatives under way to address staffing problems, upgrade equipment, and implement practices to improve visa processing at overseas posts. However, it does not systematically gather data on visa processing turnaround times and has not yet set specific timeliness standards to help guide its improvement program.

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