2002 Press Releases

U.S. doors and educational institutions remain open to foreign students

February 22, 2002

The U.S. remains a safe, welcoming place for all qualified students from around the world to pursue higher education, despite rumors about changes in visa processing and about harassment of Muslim students on U.S. campuses. President George W. Bush underscored our country's welcome in November 2001 when he said "We encourage international students to take part in our educational system. The relationships that are formed between individuals from different countries, as part of international education programs and exchanges, foster goodwill that develops into vibrant, mutually beneficial partnerships among nations." Many U.S. university presidents have also affirmed that college and university campuses continue to welcome students from abroad. The United States is proud of an educational system that attracts more than a half million international students and scholars to its campuses.

Regarding student visa concerns, because of the September 11 events, the U.S. and other countries have initiated new procedures for security which affect all world travelers. Student and exchange visitor visa applicants are subject to the existing and new special clearance procedures that apply to most categories of nonimmigrant visas. All students and other travelers seeking visas should expect increased processing times and therefore should begin procedures approximately two months in advance of travel. "Our student visa policy is based on the democratic values of an open society and the general perception that foreign students make an important contribution to our nation's intellectual and academic climate as well as to our nation's economy..., and we must continue to nurture this... even as we improve the security of our borders," said Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mary Ryan during a recent testimony before the U.S. House Education and Workforce Subcommittees.