The United States embassy said today it had received approval to issue several hundred visas due to Malaysian citizens over the next few days.

US embassy press officer Frank Whitaker said in a telephone interview that the visas to be issued include not only student visas but also those in other categories.

He said the non-immigrant visa section will not entertain cases requiring interviews as it will be closed over the next two days to expedite the issuance of the outstanding visas.

In a press statement issued earlier, the embassy said emergency applications will still be accepted on a case-by-case basis this Thursday and Friday and that visa applicants who have not been told to appear for an interview may continue to submit their passports and supporting documents this week for normal processing.

The embassy also urged the public to refrain from calling the visa section so as not to slow down the work of consular officials.

Malaysians have faced increasing difficulties and delays in getting visas to visit or study in US after the Sept 11 terror attacks.

Deputy Education Minister Abdul Aziz Shamsuddin revealed Monday that about 150 Malaysians studying in the US were denied visa renewals last month.

Negative perception

"The action by the US could be due to a negative perception of Muslim students following Sept 11...they [the students] came home for holidays but could not return to continue their studies as their visas were not renewed," Abdul Aziz said in a media report.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad also raised his ire yesterday, saying that the decision to deny or delay the visas issuance was specifically targeted at Muslim students. Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi also raised the matter when meeting with US government officials in Washington DC.

The US embassy denied that the visa applicants' race, religion or gender were being used as criteria in processing the visas although some applicants are subjected to additional background and security checks.

No change

"Historically, very few Malaysian citizens seeking to study at US universities and schools have been denied visas. That has not changed in the last year, only the length of time it is taking to process these visas," the statement said.

It stressed that the US consular officers' primary responsibility was "to ensure that applicants to whom they issue visas have bona fide reasons for travel and do not pose a security threat.

"This is a serious responsibility that takes precedence over all other considerations in adjudicating visa applications," the statement added.

Since the Sept 11 attacks, the US has imposed more stringent application procedures to screen foreigners entering the country.

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.