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Universality of Science

Concerns about visas for scientists going to the USA

Because of concerns about national security, the US authorities have imposed visa controls and regulations that have created difficulties, since 2002 , for many scientists wishing to visit the USA. This is a particular problem for scientists from certain countries or areas of of research that are considered to be ‘high risk’. There also appears to be considerable variation in the way the visa application and vetting process is handled in practice at different consulates and border controls/airports. The result is that many scientists have been refused or dissuaded from attending scientific meetings in the USA, which is regrettable for both American and international science and for science and society as a whole.

ICSU is working closely with the US National Academy of Sciences (US NAS) to monitor and address this issue and has been in dialogue with senior officials from the US government. However, a highly-publicized incident on 9 February 2006, when the ICSU President Goverdhan Mehta was initially refused a visa to the USA, demonstrates that the problems are far from resolved.

The US NAS has a dedicated team working to resolve individual cases of bone fide scientists who have visa problems and this service is open to individuals from all countries. At the same time ICSU and US NAS are continuing the discussions with the US authorities to try and ensure the necessary changes in policies and practices.

• The International Visitors Office (IVO) is a resource on all visa-related issues for the US National Academies, Academy members, and the scientific community. more...
• International Council for Science expresses grave concern over visa policies and vetting practices for scientists visiting the USA
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Correspondence with US government

• Response of Dr. G.H. Atkinson to the letter from ICSU (2 March 2006).
• Letter from ICSU Past-President and President-Elect to Dr Condoleezza Rice
  Secretary of State of the U.S. Department of State : Visa policies and vetting practices for scientists visiting the USA (24 Feb 2006).
• Response of Dr. G.H. Atkinson to the letter from ICSU President (29 Sept 2004).
• U.S. Visa policy : Letter from ICSU President to Dr. George H. Atkinson, Science and Technology Advisor to the US Department of State (10 June 2004).