JEDDAH, 21 July — There are conflicting reports about the controversial "Visa Express" program. The program provides for the processing of visas to the United States to be obtained through travel agencies and courier services.
According to an article appearing in The Washington Times, the US State Department canceled the program effective yesterday (July 20) because of strong criticism from the US Congress.
The article in the Washington newspaper goes on to quote an official at the US Embassy who stated neither the embassy nor any US Consulate will process visa applications forwarded to them by travel agencies. Arab News contacted a local travel agency and a courier service, both of which are still using the "Visa Express" and were unaware of the program’s cancellation.
The representative from one travel agency said, "We have no such information about this and we will continue providing the service until we are told to stop."
The "Visa Express" program processes visa applications to the United States in as little as 24 hours. According to the US Embassy’s public relations office, the program is still in effect but will be restructured.
In Washington, however, State Department spokeswoman Jo-Anne Prokopowicz said "Visa Express" had been ended as a direct result of persistent erroneous news reports that claimed applications received through the program were not thoroughly evaluated and had allowed terrorists to enter the United States.
"We are taking this action because, despite repeated clarifications by the department that every visa is reviewed and adjudicated by an American consular officer, erroneous media reports have created a false perception that threatens to undermine public confidence," she told AFP.
"We have therefore terminated the use of travel agencies as collection points for visa applications," Prokopowicz said.
