T5 B65 Gao Visa Docs 6 Of 6 Fdr- Mar 99 Dos Cable- Visa Referral System Guidance 834

R291953ZMAR99 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS SPECIAL EMBASSY PROGRAM DORAPOUCH DAR ES SALAAM POUCH KINSHASA POUCH UNCLAS STATE 056678

FOR CONSULAR SECTION CHIEFS FROM CA A/S MARY A. RYAN

E.0.12958:N/A TAGS: CVIS, CMGT SUBJECT: VISA.REFERRAL SYSTEM GUIDANCE. REF: 9 FAM PART IV APP K, 400 1. IN A SEPARATE MESSAGE TO ALL CHIEFS OF MISSION AND PRINCIPAL OFFICERS, I AM TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY TO REMIND THEM OF THE IMPORTANT ROLE THEY PLAY IN MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY OF THE VISA REFERRAL SYSTEM. I HOPE ALL OF YOU, AS CONSULAR MANAGERS, ARE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS REMINDER BY REVIEWING YOUR POST S VISA REFERRAL SYSTEM WITH YOUR FRONT OFFICE, AND IF NECESSARY, TAKING STEPS TO BRING IT INTO COMPLIANCE WITH THE GUIDANCE FOUND IN THE FAM (REF). THE VISA REFERRAL SYSTEM IS AN IMPORTANT CONSULAR MANAGEMENT TOOL. I HOPE ALL OF YOU ARE ABLE TO USE IT TO YOUR SECTION'S, AND TO THE MISSION'S, FULL ADVANTAGE. 2. MY MOTIVATION FOR THIS REMINDER TO THE FIELD COMES FROM RECENT OIG REPORTS THAT VISA REFERRAL SYSTEMS IN SEVERAL POSTS ARE NOT BEING PROPERLY FOLLOWED AND MAINTAINED, AND DO NOT ENJOY VISIBLE FRONT OFFICE SUPPORT. FAILURE TO SCRUPULOUSLY ADHERE TO THE STANDARDS SET OUT IN THE FAM LEAVES REFERRAL SYSTEMS OPEN TO ABUSE. THE MUTUAL COOPERATION OF THE FRONT OFFICE AND THE CONSULAR SECTION TO KEEP A WELL-MONITORED, CONSISTENTLY-APPLIED SYSTEM IN PLACE IS THE ONLY SURE GUARANTEE AGAINST MALFEASANCE. 3. THE FAM GUIDANCE ON VISA REFERRAL SYSTEMS WAS UPDATED IN 1997 TO PROVIDE SPECIFIC REFERRAL CRITERIA, TEMPLATE LETTERS AND OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION ON A PROPER REFERRAL SYSTEM. I URGE YOU TO TAKE THE TIME NOW TO REVIEW THE FAM AND TO COMPARE IT TO YOUR OWN VISA REFERRAL SYSTEM. ONCE YOU HAVE ASSURED YOURSELF OF THE INTEGRITY OF YOUR POSTS REFERRAL SYSTEM, YOU WILL BE FREE TO CONCENTRATE ON ALL OF THE OTHER DAILY DISTRACTIONS THAT ARE THE LOT OF CONSULAR MANAGERS OVERSEAS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW OF ANY PROBLEMS YOU MAY HAVE WITH THE REFERRAL PROGRAM AT YOUR POST. ALBRIGHT