What to expect coming up . . .

[Randy W]

in the SCMP - two differing interpretations

 

Hongkongers, mainland Chinese likely to face stricter scrutiny to obtain US visas

Trump administration orders heightened screenings, citing national security concerns

 

http://cdn2.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/980x551/public/images/methode/2017/03/25/b3a7ff6c-1071-11e7-9af0-a8525e4e6af4_1280x720.jpg?itok=P72ff_Bx

 

 

In line with the new US administration’s promise of “extreme vetting”, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson instructed American embassies and consulates earlier this month to broadly increase visa screenings for entry into the US.

 

In four diplomatic cables sent between March 10 and 17, Tillerson called for the development of criteria to identify “populations warranting increased security”. Language from the diplomatic memos, reported by Reuters, placed security concerns front and centre, saying in part: “All visa decisions are national security decisions.”

 

. . .

 

Beijing-based immigration lawyer Gary Chodorow said visa applicants should expect to face more security questions, delays in processing visa applications, and more visa denials. Chodorow said Tillerson’s call to establish risk criteria might lead to more consular requests for special security clearances known as Security Advisory Opinions.

“We expect that SAOs will be requested in a higher percentage of cases,” he said. “Some SAOs will be requested based on how an applicant fits a profile, such as based on their hometown, profession, ethnicity, and/or religion.”

 

. . .

 

Zheng Kaifeng, head of Guangzhou-based travel consultancy Zizhuyou123, said he doubted applicants with legitimate business or educational needs would be deterred by the extra ­vetting.

“We have been processing our clients’ applications as usual as of today,” he said. “I don’t think there will be much of an impact in the future either, as US visa applications are already notoriously tough for mainland Chinese.”