US: Many have to leave to renew visas

The US State Department said Wednesday that foreigners with work visas in the country will have to go to US embassies abroad to be interviewed and fingerprinted when they need to renew their visas.

The new policy, part of the US effort to tighten border control after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, was to ensure that people applying for visas to the United States are interviewed and fingerprinted.

The new requirement will apply to holders of "E," "H," "I," "O," "L," and "P," visas, but will not apply to foreign diplomats or people who work at international organizations like the United Nations.

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said the department processed more than 50,000 such renewal applications last year, and would stop accepting applications for mail renewals of the visas on July 16.

In the past, foreigners including entertainers, athletes, journalists, investors, executives and skilled and unskilled temporary workers were allowed to renew their visas by mail before they left the United States, Boucher said.

The reason for the switch was that US embassies abroad were better equipped to interview and fingerprint the visa applicants, he said.

These people can stay as long as they want and can leave when they want. "But when they come back, instead of getting a visa here in advance, they will have to get one overseas at one of our embassies and consulates and then come back," Boucher said.