T5 B65 Gao Visa Docs 6 Of 6 Fdr- Jun 02 Dos Cable- Spot Checking Non Immigrant Visas 864

New FAM Notes on Spot-Checking issued Nonimmig-ant Visas R £>§0057Z JON 02 FM SECSTATE WASHDC

TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS

SPECIAL EMBASSY PROGRAM AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE AMEMBASSY KABUL AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM UNCLAS STATE 111136

E.O. 12958: N/A

2 -) -^Oc^"2

TAGS: CVIS, CMGT, KFAM, AINF, KSEP SUBJECT: New FAM Notes on Spot - Checking Issued Nonimmigrant Visas

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REF: A) 9 FAM APPENDIX G 101.6(C) B) 9 FAM 41.113 1. This message has been cleared by (SEP). 2. This is an action request - see paragraph 4. 3. Ref A has long included a requirement that consular managers perform spot checks of issued visas (both NIVs and IVs) for the purpose of ensuring Visa Lookout Accountability (VLA) compliance. In addition, it has always been a good management practice for consular s managers to perform spot checks of issued visas generally (e.g., not only for VLA * purposes). This is especially true for NIVs. In order to make general NIV ,spot checks ,s official policy, the Department has included a new interpretive note^ (N9) and procedural! note (N17) at 9 FAM 41.113. 4. The new notes are contained in paragraph 5 of this message and are effective ^immediately. Consular managers are requested to ensure that their procedures are in compliance with the notes. If posts have any questions about the new notes, they should contact their post liaison officer in CA/VO/F/P. 5. [BEGIN TEXT] 9 FAM 41.113 N9 Spot Check of Issuances

See PN17. PN17 Spot Check of Issuances / a. The NIV Chief, the Visa Chief or the Consular Section Chief must spot check approved \t visa applications. The purpose of such spot checks is to maintain the \l standards of adjudication and to ensure uniform and correct application of \e law and regulations. It is the Consular Section Chief's responsibility to determine /^ V—the frequency and number of spot checks. {See 9 FAM Appendix G 101.6 (c) for spot checks X-Telated to Visa Lookout Accountability.] b. In posts where the Consular Section Chief is the sole consular officer or where the Consular Section Chief otherwise issues a significant percentage of the nonimmigrant at the post, the backup consular officer must perform the spot check of the Consular Section Chief's issuances. In such posts the backup consular officer shall determine the frequency and number of spot checks of the Consular Section Chief's issuances. The Consular Section Chief shall determine the frequency and number of spot checks of his/her subordinates' issuances. {END TEXT]

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ftew FAM Notes on Spot-Checking Issued Nonimmigrant Visas

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