Termination of Travel Agency Referral Program

In the future, application for nonimmigrant US visa through the Travel Agency Referral Program (TARP) is prohibited. Therefore, each and every applicant has to do it by him/herself, sustaining significant delays.

U.S. Embassy Seoul announced its new nonimmigrant visa procedures yesterday. The new procedures will become effective July 21st, 2003.

▽ Tightened visa screening

The TARP will end on July 18, 2003. No further TARP applications will be accepted after that date. Therefore, people will no longer be able to apply for nonimmigrant US visas through travel agencies. Last year, for example, 25% of the applicants received visas through the TARP.

Also effective July 21, 2003, walk-in applications will no longer be allowed, except for life and death emergencies. Except certain categories of nonimmigrant applicants, South Koreans may apply for nonimmigrant visas through interviews. Those for whom visa interviews are waived must come by designated courier service.

The scope of interview waiver is narrowed. Previously, personal appearance was waived in case of revalidations of the same NIV category for visas that expired five years ago or less. Under the new regulation effective July 21st, the visas must have expired one year ago or less.

On the other hand, all exchanging students will no longer be able to command the privilege of personal appearance waiver. Likewise, all undergraduates, regardless of the year of graduation, have to take interview to go to the United States to further their education.

As a result, 70% of the nonimmigrant visa applicants have to take interview to obtain nonimmigrant US visas from July 21st, 2003. Up to now, only 35% are required of personal appearance. The US Embassy estimates that, only this year, 400,000 people will apply for US visas.

▽ Background for change

After the Sep. 11th terrorist attack in 2001, the United States government has repeatedly stressed that it would tighten up the nonimmigrant visa procedure. According to the own words of the US Embassy in Seoul, "Increased border security requirements mandated by U.S. law and regulations [after the terrorist attack] will change Non Immigrant Visa processing at all U.S. Embassies and Consulates around the world."

"The terrorist attack necessitated a single unified immigration processing. The new regulations will apply at all US Embassies around the world," explained Bernard Alter, the US Consul General.

▽ Possible civil rights infringement

As the personal appearance waivers are limited, the processing time will be extended remarkably from the current duration of 15-20 days.

Worried about the expected clogged workload, the US Embassy Seoul plans to take 400 interviews every day from July 23rd for those who want to go over to the United States on exchange programs. In addition, in close consultation with the South Korean authorities, it will construct another facility to accommodate the nonimmigrant visa interviewees.

Under the newly amended Immigration and Nationality Act, which passed through US Congress recently, effective October, 2004, all visa applicants have to provide their biological information such as finger prints to obtain nonimmigrant US visas. In the wake of the announcement, a heated debate is to ensue over the possible human rights infringement.

Consul General Bernard Alter said, "It is hard to predict how long the new regulations delay the visa processing. We will do our best to relieve the inconvenience on the part of the applicants. As part of the effort, we are considering construction of online application system, and employment of more examiners."

jarrett@donga.com