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Arab, Muslim men face 20-day delay for US visas
The United States will introduce a 20-day waiting period for men from predominantly Muslim countries who apply for visas, including applicants from Pakistan, the state department has said.
The United States will introduce a 20-day waiting period for men from predominantly Muslim countries who apply for visas, including applicants from Pakistan, the state department has said.
Starting next week, US embassies and consulates in more than 20 Arab and Muslim countries will require that all men aged 16 to 45 wait an additional 20 days while their names are sent to Washington, where the FBI will check the names against its database and other information.
If the FBI does not respond within 20 days, the consular officers may proceed with the visa application.
However, men in the targeted age will have to fill out a detailed questionnaire, according to a report in 'Washington Times'. One state department official was quoted as saying: Anyone in a Muslim country where the predominant religion is Islam, who is a male aged 18 to 45, will be given an additional questionnaire.
The paper said the questionnaire would include questions on military service, weapons training, travel to particular countries and whether the applicant has a history of losing passports. The new rule, which comes as a direct consequence of the fact that 19 men who carried the Sept 11 terror attacks in the US were Arab Muslims, was envisaged by Secretary of State Colin Powell.
Bureau Report
If the FBI does not respond within 20 days, the consular officers may proceed with the visa application.
However, men in the targeted age will have to fill out a detailed questionnaire, according to a report in 'Washington Times'. One state department official was quoted as saying: Anyone in a Muslim country where the predominant religion is Islam, who is a male aged 18 to 45, will be given an additional questionnaire.
The paper said the questionnaire would include questions on military service, weapons training, travel to particular countries and whether the applicant has a history of losing passports. The new rule, which comes as a direct consequence of the fact that 19 men who carried the Sept 11 terror attacks in the US were Arab Muslims, was envisaged by Secretary of State Colin Powell.
Bureau Report