In a joint statement from Secretary for Consular Affairs Maura Harty and Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security Asa Hutchinson Feb. 19, the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security announced improved visa processing for international students, businesspeople and other visitors.

The announcement comes after a Government Accountability Report highlighted improvements in the Visas Mantis clearance process.

The State Department and DHS have both made significant strides in reprioritizing and examining the efficiencies of the Mantis process.

“It is our joint commitment to ensure that the United States has both secure borders and open doors,” a statement made by the State Department said.

According to Deborah Ahlstedt, an adviser in the Department of International Faculty and Staff Services, the Mantis process has become increasingly more efficient since last year.

“The State Department has been under a good deal of pressure from not only Bill Gates but other organizations and tourism,” Ahlstedt said. “This [was] unconscionable [and] it [was] really hurting the country.”

According to the report, the average time for processing and notification dropped to 15 days on average in November 2004. This is considerably lower than an earlier report in February 2004 showing the average to be 67 days.

The Mantis project attributes its success to several steps taken in response to the February 2004 report. Among those, the government has implemented a new stand-alone Mantis team, additional guidance to consular officers and priority interviews for foreign students and scholars.

According to Ahlstedt, checks are especially necessary for technology-sensitive fields.

“[The State Department has to make sure] a person is not going to be transferring sensitive technology to a country that could use it against [us],” Ahlstedt said.

While Mantis has become faster, it has not lost its ability to catch possible national threats. According to the study, the State Department, DHS and the Federal Bureau of Investigation decided on an agreement changing how the FBI operates within the Visas Mantis process.

“Under the new ‘no objections policy,’ the State Department does not have to wait for an FBI response before processing Mantis cases,” the report said. “But the FBI continues to receive information on visa applicants subject to Mantis checks.”

According to Ahlstedt, Mantis’ efficiency is good news for researchers and faculty.

“Researchers and faculty have been reluctant to travel outside of the country to present papers to visit family because of huge delays [for] being able to come back,” Ahlstedt said.

The refined Mantis process is also good news for students intending to come to the United States to study.

According to Lakshmikant Shrinivas, co-chair of the Wisconsin International Students Association and president of the Indian Graduate Students Association, his own visa process took roughly a month and a half.

“I know some people who could not come because their visas were too delayed.” Shrinivas said.

Shrinivas added many international students become frustrated because of not being able to carry through with school and funding preparations made months in advance.

“It’s kind of a morale booster because they know they’re going to get it in 15 days,” Shrinivas said. “More people will be encourage[d] to apply.”