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Visa Process Failing Illinois’ International Students

Posted By Paul Xumsai on February 20, 2020 in Webinars & Virtual Seminars

University presidents are calling for Congress to help with the delays and denials for visa approvals.

A graduate student from China applied for a visa renewal in May 2019 for the University of Illinois. The visa process, which normally takes about a week, is still in “administrative processing” causing the student to withdraw. 

Such delays by the U.S. State Department in processing visas for international students in American universities have been a growing problem nationwide. Long waits, denials, and visa cancellation have effect nearly 30 universities and colleges in Illinois. 

According to 2019 Open Doors Report, the University of Illinois has the fifth largest population of international students nationwide. The university, along with other Illinois universities has signed a letter to the state’s congressional delegations conveying concerns about the changes in the immigration policy.

Many foreign students have studied hard their entire life to be admitted to the schools of their dreams, only to be denied the privilege of college life in the United States. International students are forced to wait in limbo.

Last year, more than 53,000 international students enrolled in Illinois colleges and universities. This equates to more than 1.9 billion dollars to the states economy. 

Illinois colleges and universities are hopeful for a speedy resolution to help remove the obstacles and streamline the visa process.

 

Paul Xumsai

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