Latest Embassy News
U.S. Secretary of State Rice Announces Plan for Renewing America's Welcome
23 January 2006
Speaking at the State Department January 17, Rice announced with Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff a joint vision for secure borders and open doors in the information age, a three-part plan to welcome visitors to the United States without compromising security.
Outlining U.S. efforts to encourage students, researchers and scientists to pursue their studies in the United States, Rice said “at all 210 visa processing posts, getting visas into the hands of foreign students is becoming a top priority.”
Actions underway to renew America’s welcome include:
· Create a Transparent and Welcoming Entry Process for All Visitors
In partnership with the private sector and state and local governments, the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and State will introduce a pilot "model airport" program to ensure a more welcoming environment for foreign visitors. The pilot projects at Houston and Washington Dulles airports will entail such features as customized video messages for the public with practical information about the entry process, improved screening and efficient movement of people through the border entry process, and assistance for foreign travelers once they have been admitted to the United States. We will create a better, more transparent process – from the time a visitor requests a visa through their arrival in the United States.
· Expedite Processing of Visas for Business Travelers:
To decrease the wait time for visa appointments for travelers, and building on best practices at several posts, all American embassies and consulates have now established procedures to expedite the processing of business visas and are working closely with local American Chambers of Commerce in over 100 countries, including Lithuania, to expedite the visa process for bona fide business travelers.
· Encourage Students and Academic Study in the United States
DHS and State will expand the length of time foreign students may be issued student visas and arrive in the United States before their academic study. Student visas will be issued up to 120 days (as compared to 90 days under current regulations) and allow entry 45 days (compared to 30 days currently) in advance of studies.
· Working with Lithuania on the Visa Waiver Roadmap:
As U.S. Congressman James Sensenbrenner confirmed in his visit to Lithuania January 10-12, the Visa Waiver Roadmap is designed to help Lithuania meet the legal requirements necessary to gain entry into the Visa Waiver Program. The U.S. Embassy continues to work closely with the Lithuanian government on the Visa Waiver Roadmap that sets a course for removing the visa requirement for tourist and business travel once all the criteria have been met. Lithuania already meets some of the criteria and continues to be a leader in areas such as document security and biometric passports. Lithuanian citizens have to do their part as well by using their visas properly. By working together with Lithuanian citizens and the Government, the U.S. Embassy is helping Lithuania to can hasten its compliance with all Visa Waiver Program requirements.
· Pilot Use of Digital Videoconferencing Technology:
In some countries, bottlenecks may arise from the need for applicants to go to the only, or one of the few, U.S. diplomatic posts in their country where they can be interviewed. Digital videoconferencing technology could help transform this model for visa processing. A pilot program in the United Kingdom and other countries will test the viability of such a new approach, while ensuring the security of the visa process.
· "Paperless" Visa Processing:
The Department of State will pilot a fully electronic visa application by December 2006 to expand the collection and use of information. Going even further, State and DHS will conduct a joint pilot project to test a "paperless" visa system in which DHS officers will have electronic access to visas, passports, and biometric information.
The United States is a welcoming country, encouraging citizens from Lithuania to visit, study, and do business. While security remains paramount for our countries, we will ensure that the experience of travelers reflects this welcoming spirit – and shows that the United States is open to business travelers, tourists, and students – while ensuring that our homeland is secure.
