SECRETARY OF COMMERCE ADMITS VISA PROCESSING AT CONSULATES IS HURTING THE COUNTRY

US Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke, the former Governor of Washington state, was recently speaking to the Washington International Trade Association in his home state had some frank words about the impact visa denials and delays are having on US commerce:

As we seek to open up markets for American companies abroad, the United States must also acknowledge that she has room to improve when it comes to increasing the secure flow of goods, services and people across our own borders.

In particular, the United States often makes it too difficult for foreign company executives to enter here to do business—a shortcoming that has had a tangible cost for American businesses by shutting out some of their best customers.

For example, the Association of Equipment Manufacturer Executives has reported that its members lose one in three Chinese buyers invited to attend major U.S. trade shows because their visas are denied—even though many of them have previously visited the United States on buying missions without incident.

Meanwhile, Boeing recently had to delay the delivery of a $250 million freighter because an inspector from the Chinese aviation authority didn't receive his visa on time.

Historically, processing for these types of visas could be done in a matter of weeks but recently the time has stretched to as much as four months.

The U.S. government has already made some tentative progress on improving the situation, but I have also created an interagency task force with the State Department and others to further improve the process.

Let's hope this means we'll see some meaningful changes in the near future.

Comments

[Federale]

Gee, China's economy is not hurt by restrictive immigration. China accepts no immigrants at all. They seem to be doing well. And China has aviation inspectors? Probably an intelligence official ordered to steal Boeing's secrets. Chinese planes and air crew are some of the worst in the world. The Chinese can buy American goods from American sales men in China. They don't need to send a 100 man team to look at products. Chinese companies are notorious for selling identities and positions in "trade delegations" to those planning to stay in the U.S.

Liberals are so naive.

[George Chell]

"And what ever happened to the introduced Nursisng emergency Relief Act???"

I know of one consequence..I will do some of the procedures in Singapore!

[guest]

And what ever happened to the introduced Nursisng emergency Relief Act???

[George Chell]

"Article about people leaving country due to delay in GC. If this becomes trend US can kiss innovation goodbye."

I really dont think it will affect US innovation. For instance, Microsoft innovation in Canada, Australia or Singapore is still considered US innovation. So Microsoft wlll not suffer. But, I am sure you did notice Secretary of Treasury Geithner begging China to buy our Treasuries. Watch for this to happen more often, as jobs go abroad, and puts a big hole in our tax and social security revenues.

[Adi]

http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/jul2009/db20090724_178761.htm

Article about people leaving country due to delay in GC. If this becomes trend US can kiss innovation goodbye.

[Vivek Shah]

If the US government is real serious about getting rid of these delays...a few suggestions that will go a long way: -

1. Get rid of the requirement to leave the country to renew a visa - allow people already in the US to get their visa renewed at local ASC offices!

2. Even better would be to grant a Visa card (something similar to a green card) along with the visa approval petitions. If my visa extension petition is already approved here, why should I have to go through another "interview" just to get it stamped in my passport!

[George Chell]

He needs to address the issue of visa delays after H1Bs return to their countries in the event of family emergency. Five positions in May were moved to Singapore and Hong Kong because Indians and Chinese who returned home to attend funerals were kept waiting. That is close to at least $120,000 in lost tax revenues even as Secretary Geithner goes with a begging bowl to these countries plus China to get them to buy more US debt. In other words, deluding ourselves into thinking that jobs will go to Americans if foreigners are kept out, we loose jobs to Singapore and Hong Kong, and the tax and social security revenues and then the Secretary of Treasury goes to these countries to borrow that money at a high interest rate..revenues which should never have left the US shores had we followed an immigration policy more in tune with twenty first century. US politicians attack Ivy League. Meanwhile, the Ivy League educated Singapore politicians are eating the not so bright US politicians alive..however, what can we expect when we have a low IQ guy like Jeff Sessions as the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee?