The notice says that the new procedure applies to journalist visas “I”, as well as visas “E”, “H”, “L”, “O” and “P”. Previously, owners of these categories of American visas who were in the United States could renew them at the State Department's consular office, including by sending the relevant documents by mail. Now renewal of these types of visas is possible only at US consulates in foreign countries.
On US territory, only visas for diplomats, members of government delegations and NATO representatives (visas “A”, “G” and “NATO”) will continue to be renewed.
The State Department explained the change in visa renewal procedure by the requirement of a new US law on strengthening border security, according to which after October 26, 2004, all issued American visas must include biometric data. For this purpose, equipment for taking fingerprints is being installed at all US consulates and embassies abroad.
“We are pursuing a policy of secure borders and open doors and must ensure the visa issuance process with the protection of the United States,” the official representative of the US State Department, Richard Boucher, told journalists in connection with the introduction of the new procedure. He explained that the headquarters of the American foreign policy department in Washington does not have either the equipment or the personnel to take fingerprints from visa holders and conduct personal interviews with them, as required by the new law.
The State Department is not prepared to say how many people the new rules will complicate life for. Last year, about 50,000 people from more than 60 countries applied for renewal of non-immigrant visas in the United States. According to the State Department, Indians accounted for almost half of all “imported” specialists. The “top five” in terms of the number of applications also included Japanese, Chinese, British and Koreans. All these people will now not be able to renew their visas without first leaving the United States.
The new visa renewal procedure affects only those holders of the six visa categories who wish to leave US territory with the aim of subsequently returning. In this case, in order to return, they will have to obtain a visa again according to the new rules, including fingerprinting in the country to which they left.
At the same time, all current holders of work visas have the right to remain in the United States for the entire period allowed by US immigration authorities. They do not need to specifically leave the United States to extend their stay, a State Department representative said.