Issue 00477
July 14 - 20, 2007
www.arushatimes.co.tz
Local News
Positive gain in visa issuances in the past 7 years
The U.S. Mission reports that more Tanzanian visitors are headed to the United States this year than any year since 2002. In the first six months of 2007, over 1,600 Tanzanians have obtained visitors visas to the United States to see family, conduct business, or engage in tourism. This marks a 5-year high for visa issuances.
Embassy officers are heartened by the increased interest in travel. It indicates success in their task to encourage and facilitate the journeys of legitimate travelers while guarding against illegal immigrants, criminals, and terrorists.
In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, visa demand in Tanzania fell by almost forty percent. It has remained low for several years and is only now showing signs of rising to previous levels. The total number of visitors’ visas issued in the first half of 2007 is 14% more than the same time last year. This is the largest positive gain in visa issuances in the past 7 years.
The Consular Section sees a similar pattern with student visas. The Department of State, starting with Secretary Condoleezza Rice, regards foreign students as vitally important contacts with other countries that should be strongly encouraged. The news from Tanzania gets better every year. In 2007, the Embassy expects to issue over 550 student visas, which would be 25% over last year’s total.
The figures disprove the rumors that very few visas are issued to Tanzanian applicants. Around 80% of Tanzanian applicants for visitor visas and 75% of student visas are successful. These are among the highest issuance rates for sub-Saharan Africa.
The U.S. Mission encourages intending travelers to log on to the Embassy website: http://tanzania.usembassy.gov for more information.
