The joint statement, issued by twenty-five prominent associations representing higher education and the scientific and engineering communities, addresses concerns regarding recent changes to U.S. visa procedures intended to bolster national security. While affirming their commitment to national security and supporting the federal government’s efforts to secure the visa system, the organizations express grave concerns that the current visa process has become inefficient, protracted, and opaque, resulting in unintended negative consequences for science, higher education, and the country’s broader interests. Specifically, they highlight that the difficulties and delays in obtaining visas are discouraging top international students, scholars, and scientists from coming to the United States, thereby threatening the nation's leadership in research, economic competitiveness, and global engagement. The signatories argue that maintaining a strong flow of international talent is not only compatible with security but essential to it, as robust international scientific exchange contributes directly to both national security and economic innovation.
The statement identifies several key problems with the current visa system, including repetitive and time-consuming security checks, inefficient visa renewal processes, a lack of transparency and status tracking, inconsistent application treatment by consular staff, redundant processing for individuals with proven track records, and new potential barriers to entry related to payment systems for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). For each issue, the statement offers targeted recommendations, such as extending the duration of visa clearances, enabling pre-departure renewal for conference travel, improving communication and prioritization for pending applications, enhancing consular staff training, revising international reciprocity agreements, and adopting more user-friendly fee payment methods. The document emphasizes the need for increased funding and staffing to improve adjudications and stresses the importance of collaboration between government and academic stakeholders. Ultimately, the statement urges reform of the visa process to ensure the United States remains welcoming to international talent, thus safeguarding national security, scientific advancement, and economic prosperity.
Joint statement from twenty-five associations of higher education, science and engineering on new Visa procedures that may harm science, higher education and the nation.
