Despite increasing complaints about the slow issuance of visas, the United States embassy in Kuala Lumpur said nothing much could be done by applicants to expedite the process.

The embassy's press officer Frank Whitaker said although the basic requirements for visa approval have not change, the administrative process had been lengthened for several cases.

"A significant amount of time had been taken for some cases and this had affected a significant number of people.

"The embassy deeply regrets this but we are working very hard [to resolve the situation]," he said when contacted today.

Whitaker said this in response to several newspaper reports which quoted students as saying that they have been unable to obtain visas in order to enter the US before the start of their academic year.

Since the Sept 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, more stringent application procedures have been implemented by US authorities to screen foreigners entering the country.

Male students affected more

According to United States Graduates' Association President Pheang Kok Foo, student visa applications used to take one to two weeks for approval but the approval period has since been stretched to an average four-week wait.

"Normally, delays affect male students. Female students generally do not face any problems. They usually get their visas within the one-month period," he added.

Pheang said the US Consular Services department is likely to require more time to process visa applications because of additional effort taken to screen the backgrounds of applicants.

"Those students who are complaining now are those who have been waiting for one month or more. Some applied only in the middle of August but their school terms are due to start in August or September," he said during a telephone interview.

According to Pheang, students may have submitted their visa applications late because of delay on their schools' part in issuing their acceptance letters .

He also said the validity period of student visas are generally based on the duration of their proposed studies as stated on the acceptance letters.

Course-based visas

Meanwhile, Whitaker said complications may have arisen for some students seeking to return to the US to continue their studies because they received only one-year visas based on their course requirements at the time of application.

"The visa is issued only for the person to enter the United States. It does not matter if the visa has expired as long as the student is 'in status'," said Whitaker, referring to the person's status as registered with the US Consular services during his or her initial application.

"However, since they returned to Malaysia, they will have to apply again," he added.

The US embassy said in its official website that, expedited service also cannot be obtained for any party unless a "legitimate humanitarian emergency" is clearly demonstrated.

Since early this year, the US has imposed more stringent demands on visa applicants.

Among others, non-immigrant visa applicants are required to fill in an additional form, similar to a curriculum vitae, as well as undergo a more extensive interview process.