The Department of Homeland Security Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security Asa Hutchinson and Department of State Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Maura Harty last week released a statement on improved visa processing for international visitors.
The statement said that the U.S. has attempted to facilitate entry and travel for legitimate visitors, while increasing security for the public.
"The Departments of State and Homeland Security have made steady progress in improving the clearance process known as Visas Mantis throughout the past year," said the statement. "The GAO has validated these efforts, noting that the addition of staff, investments in systems, additional guidance to officers and interagency cooperation have resulted in significant declines in processing times. Visas Mantis processing today averages less than 14 days. In addition, not only have we reduced the processing times for Visas Mantis, but we also recently extended the validity of Visas Mantis clearances, reducing the number of times a visa applicant is subject to a Washington, D.C., interagency clearance."
