Mantis Processing Times Have Declined

Mantis processing times and the number of cases pending more than 60  days have declined significantly. In February 2004, we reported that the  average length of time it took to process Mantis checks in Washington and  for State to notify posts was 67 days for Mantis cases initiated from April— June 2003. State reported that the average Mantis processing time in  October 2003 was 75 days. Although this  plan remained a draft and was not fully implemented, State and other  agencies acted on many of the steps called for in the plan and undertook  other efforts to address difficulties that students and scholars face in  obtaining visas. These actions included establishing a stand-alone Mantis  team; providing additional guidance to consular officers; creating an  electronic tracking system for Mantis cases; clarifying the roles and  responsibilities of agencies involved in the Mantis process; reiterating a  policy to give students and scholars priority interviews; and extending the  validity period for Mantis clearances. Several agencies that participate in the Mantis process are not fully  connected electronically to State’s tracking system. In order to facilitate travel, State Department officials proposed to extend  visa validities for students and scholars on a reciprocal basis. Students and Scholars from China Are Limited to 6- Month, Two-Entry Visas

China has one of the strictest visa reciprocity schedules for students and  scholars. As we  reported in 2004, the use of the cabling system to transmit Mantis cases can  lead to unnecessary delays in the process. Provide more opportunities for consular officers at key Mantis consular  posts to receive guidance and feedback on the Visas Mantis program  through direct interaction with agency officials knowledgeable about  the program. To identify and assess actions taken to implement our recommendation to  improve the Visas Mantis program, we obtained documentation from key  U.S. agencies, primarily the State Department, interviewed officials from  these agencies, and observed training classes for new consular officers at  the State Department’s Foreign Service Institute.
Why GAO Did This Study

In February 2004, GAO reported that improvements were needed in the time taken to adjudicate visas for science students and scholars. Specifically, a primary tool used to screen these applicants for visas (the Visas Mantis program) was operating inefficiently. We found that it took an average of 67 days to process Mantis checks, and many cases were pending for 60 days or more. GAO also found that the way in which information was shared among agencies prevented cases from being resolved expeditiously. Finally, consular officers lacked sufficient program guidance. This report discusses the time to process Mantis checks and assesses actions taken and timeframes for improving the Mantis program.

What GAO Found

Mantis processing times have declined significantly. In November 2004, the average time to process a Mantis check was about 15 days, far lower than the average of 67 days we reported previously. The number of Mantis cases pending more than 60 days has also dropped significantly. Although an action plan that the State Department (State) drafted was not fully implemented, State and other agencies took several actions in response to our recommendations to improve Visas Mantis and to facilitate travel by foreign students and scholars. These actions included (1) adding staff to process Mantis cases, (2) providing additional guidance to consular officers, (3) developing an electronic tracking system, (4) clarifying roles and responsibilities of agencies involved in the Mantis program, (5) reiterating State's policy of giving students and scholars priority interviews, and (6) extending the validity of Mantis clearances. Nonetheless, some issues remain unresolved. Consular officers at posts we visited continue to need guidance on the Mantis program, particularly through direct interaction with State officials knowledgeable about the program. Several agencies that receive Mantis cases are not fully connected to State's electronic tracking system. This can lead to unnecessary delays in the process. Finally, students and scholars from China are limited to 6-month, two-entry visas. The Chinese government has rejected a proposal by the United States to extend visa validities, on a reciprocal basis, for students and scholars.