JEDDAH, 12 June 2003 — US Ambassador Robert Jordan has urged Saudi students wanting to study in the US for the academic year beginning in September to send in their visa applications as soon as possible.
“The clearance of applications which go through various security procedures can take as little as two weeks or it can take longer. If students apply now, their visas will be ready in plenty of time for them to leave for the US,” the ambassador told Arab News on Monday night.
Jordan, who took part in a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony with Consul General Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley at the dedication of the Jeddah consulate’s new entrance, said visas were now being issued on a regular basis at both the embassy in Riyadh and the consulate in Jeddah.
The consul general said the events of Sept. 11 had changed both the process and pace of issuing visas. “It can now take up to two months depending on the individual case,” she said. “Some students studying in the United States have not returned. Possibly they think that they will not get visas or might not get them in time to return to the US.”
Miguel Ordonez, consul at the US Consulate General, said there was no guarantee that every applicant would be issued a visa. “Visa applications are closely scrutinized here and also in Washington. If applicants qualify for a visa, there is no reason why they should not get one. In fact, some applicants have been issued visas on the same day that they applied.”
In his remarks at the dedication ceremony, the ambassador said: “We retain our long-term commitment as a mission to maintaining a robust presence in Jeddah where we have been since 1952 and in Riyadh since 1984. The new entrance that we have built is a physical reminder of that fact.”
He singled out the employees of the consulate and said, “Each one of you working here is the face of America for countless local people and others from all over the world. You’re ensuring that the thousands of American citizens in this region have a place to turn to if they need assistance. And you’re helping to get out the message that the ideals that America upholds — freedom, unity, brotherhood — are fully compatible with the values of Islam; indeed, they’re often identical.”
The consul general, in her remarks, said: “Our dedication of this new facade gives us the opportunity to renew our commitment to a US presence in the Western Province. We’re renewing the commitment of the many parts of this consulate that conduct the business of America.”
She said Administrative Officer Ron Acuff had been the “real keystone” in the completion of the structure and that General Services Officer Jim Williams and his team had seen to such important details as the wall seals and flag.
“Many other people contributed to the beauty of this doorway to the United States, including Craig Flanagan, facilities manager from Riyadh with regional responsibility for the consulates, Paul Adams, contractor for design and construction, and Diane Peterson, for the spectacular landscaping design that beautifies the entrance.”
