US embassy cable - 04ABUDHABI2202

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 ABU DHABI 002202 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR CA/EX, NEA/FO, NEA/ARP 
 
USDOC FOR ITA/MAC/CLOUSTENAU AND ITA/OIO/ANESA/BORR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CVIS, KPAO, SCUL, BMGT, ECON, TC 
SUBJECT: THE SLOW RISE IN TRAVEL OF UAE NATIONALS TO THE 
USA AND THE IMPACT ON US INTERESTS 
 
REF: 03 ABU DHABI 1905 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED ENTIRE TEXT 
 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
1.  FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 9/11, THE NUMBER OF UAE 
NATIONALS TRAVELING TO THE UNITED STATES IS STARTING TO 
RISE. HOWEVER, THIS IS FROM A SHARPLY DIMINISHED BASE - THE 
ROAD BACK TO PRE-9/11 LEVELS FOR UAE NATIONALS WILL TAKE 
TIME. THE NUMBER OF UAE NATIONALS TRAVELING TO THE UNITED 
STATES HAS FALLEN 84 PERCENT FROM 2001 TO 2003.  THIS 
DRAMATIC DECLINE HAS BEEN REFLECTED IN ALMOST ALL VISA 
CATEGORIES, PARTICULARLY STUDENT AND BUSINESS/TOURIST 
VISAS.  THE LOSS OF SUCH A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF UAE 
STUDENTS AND TRAVELERS HAS HAD A FINANCIAL IMPACT 
PARTICULARLY FOR A NUMBER OF UNIVERSITIES AND MEDICAL 
INSTITUTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES.  WITH REGARDS TO THE 
DECREASING NUMBER OF UAE STUDENTS, THE LOSS OF THE 
OPPORTUNITY TO EXPOSE THEM TO THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE IS 
THE MOST DISCONCERTING IN THE LONG RUN.  THE MISSION 
CONTINUES EFFORTS TO COUNTERACT THE DECLINE IN UAE TRAVEL 
THROUGH AGGRESSIVE PUBLIC OUTREACH EFFORTS. END SUMMARY. 
 
FACTS AND FIGURES 
----------------- 
 
2. IN CALENDAR YEAR 2000, A TOTAL OF 11,859 UAE NATIONALS 
APPLIED FOR VISAS AT THE CONSULAR SECTIONS IN ABU DHABI AND 
DUBAI.  BY THE END OF 2002, THAT NUMBER HAD DWINDLED TO 
2,520 AND THEN AGAIN TO 2,304 AT THE CLOSE OF 2003. THE 
NUMBERS ARE EVEN MORE DRAMATIC FOR STUDENT VISAS.  IN 2000, 
A TOTAL OF 1,386 UAE NATIONALS WENT TO THE UNITED STATES 
FOR UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDIES.  BY THE END OF 
2003, THAT NUMBER HAD FALLEN TO 214.  IN ADDITION, THE 
NUMBER OF UAE NATIONALS WHO APPLIED FOR VISAS TO TRAVEL TO 
THE UNITED STATES FOR BUSINESS AND/OR PLEASURE TOTALED 8027 
IN 2000.  ONLY 1321 UAE NATIONALS OPTED TO DO THE SAME IN 
2003. 
 
3. HOWEVER, INITIAL FIGURES IN 2004 INDICATE THAT PEOPLE 
ARE GRADUALLY RETURNING TO TRAVEL TO THE USA.  DURING THE 
PERIOD JAN-MAY 2004, A TOTAL OF 15,305 INDIVIDUALS OF ALL 
NATIONALITIES APPLIED FOR VISAS IN ABU DHABI AND DUBAI, 
WHILE IN THE SAME PERIOD IN 2003, THE TOTAL WAS 9,719. THE 
NUMBER OF UAE NATIONALS APPLYING FOR VISAS IN ABU DHABI AND 
DUBAI HAS ALSO INCREASED OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR. DURING THE 
PERIOD JAN-MAY 2004, A TOTAL OF 1,056 UAE NATIONALS APPLIED 
WHILE DURING THE SAME PERIOD IN 2003, 642 APPLIED. 
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE VISA PROCESS HAVE HELPED TO LURE PEOPLE 
BACK TO TRAVELING TO THE USA.  MOST UAE NATIONALS, FOR 
EXAMPLE, ARE NOW ISSUED VISAS IN 24 HOURS, A TIMEFRAME THAT 
COMPARES FAVORABLY WITH THE TWO-WEEK WAITING PERIOD FOR EU 
SCHENGEN VISAS. 
 
4. THE MAIN CATALYST BEHIND QUICKER ISSUANCE HAS BEEN THE 
CHANGES IN THE CLEARANCE PROCESS. SPECIFICALLY, THE REVISED 
CONDOR CRITERIA SENT IN OCTOBER 2003 SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED 
THE POOL OF APPLICANTS SUBJECT TO NSEERS. THE OVERALL 
STREAMLINING OF THE CLEARANCE PROCESS AND THE NEWLY 
RELEASED ELECTRONIC SAO FEATURE IN THE NIV APPLICATION HAVE 
ALL CONTRIBUTED TO FASTER PROCESSING OF APPLICANTS, 
INCLUDING THOSE THAT REQUIRE WASHINGTON CLEARANCES. WORD OF 
MOUTH SPREADS QUICKLY, AND LOCAL APPLICANTS ARE BECOMING 
AWARE THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO OBTAIN A US VISA THE NEXT DAY, 
WHICH IS HELPING TO INCREASE APPLICATION FIGURES. ANOTHER 
FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO HIGHER NUMBERS IS THE MISSION'S 
OUTREACH CAMPAIGN (SEE PARAGRAPH 13), WHICH TARGETS BOTH 
THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND SPECIFIC INTEREST GROUPS, SUCH AS 
STUDENTS. MOREOVER, THE POST-9/11 REALITIES HAVE COME TO BE 
ACCEPTED BY VISA SEEKERS, AND THEY ARE ADJUSTING TO THE NEW 
ENVIRONMENT, AS EVIDENCED BY THE INCREASING NUMBER OF 
APPLICANTS SCHEDULING INTERVIEWS MONTHS IN ADVANCE OF 
ANTICIPATED TRAVEL. HOWEVER, WE STILL FACE CHALLENGES THAT 
NEED TO BE OVERCOME IN ORDER TO RAISE THE FIGURES BACK TO 
PRE-9/11 LEVELS. 
 
STUDENT TRAVEL 
-------------- 
 
5. TOUGHER VISA POLICIES AND THE PERCEIVED THREAT OF 
DISCRIMINATION HAVE PROMPTED UAE STUDENTS TO SHUN U.S. 
UNIVERSITIES.  THE FIGURES ARE STARK AS GRADUATING STUDENTS 
ARE NOT REPLACED, AND BOTH TRANSFERRING AND NEW STUDENTS 
HEAD TO AUSTRALIA, CANADA, UK AND OTHER DESTINATIONS, WHICH 
ARE AGGRESSIVELY OFFERING EDUCATIONAL AND IMMIGRATION 
OPPORTUNITIES.  NEW ZEALAND HAS JUST STARTED A 90-DAY VISIT 
PROGRAM FOR EMIRATIS WITH NO VISA REQUIRED, ALTHOUGH A 
STUDENT VISA IS STILL REQUIRED FOR STUDY.  THERE IS ALSO 
GROWING INTEREST ON THE PART OF AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS IN 
SETTING UP BRANCH CAMPUSES OR AFFILIATES IN THE UAE. THE 
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN SHARJAH IS AFFILIATED WITH THE 
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN WASHINGTON, DC WHILE THE AMERICAN 
INTERCONTINENTAL UNIVERSITY IN ATLANTA, GA SET UP THE 
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN DUBAI. 
 
6.  THE UAE AMBASSADOR TO THE U.S. TOLD AMBASSADOR MARCH 9, 
2004 THAT 4,500 UAE STUDENTS WERE STUDYING IN THE U.S. IN 
2000.  THIS NUMBER HAS NOW DECLINED TO ABOUT 1,800. 
SCHOLARSHIP OFFICIALS FROM THE ABU DHABI INVESTMENT 
AUTHORITY (ADIA) TOLD PAO THAT THEIR 1300 SCHOLARSHIP 
STUDENTS USED TO BE HANDLED BY A WASHINGTON-BASED STAFF OF 
OVER 50.  THEIR OFFICE HAS SHRUNK IN SIZE AND THEY ARE 
MOVING INTO THE UAE EMBASSY AND OUT OF THEIR OWN OFFICES AS 
THEIR STUDENT NUMBERS HAVE DECREASED AND STAFF LAID OFF. 
THEY NOW SPONSOR 300 STUDENTS IN THE U.S., BUT MOST 
TELLING, 100 OF THESE WILL GRADUATE IN MAY.  OF THEIR 150 
NEW SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS THIS YEAR, ONLY 12 WENT TO THE 
U.S.  ADIA OFFICIALS STATED THAT THERE ARE OTHER ENGLISH 
SPEAKING COUNTRIES TO TURN TO THAT HAVE EASIER PROCEDURES, 
DO NOT LEAVE STUDENTS HANGING FOR MONTHS WITH NO ANSWER TO 
VISA REQUESTS, DO NOT HUMILIATE LEGITIMATE VISITORS AT 
POINTS OF ENTRY AND DO NOT TURN AWAY STUDENTS HOLDING VISAS 
UPON ARRIVAL. AS MORE OF THEIR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES MOVE 
TO OTHER COUNTRIES, THE APPLYING STUDENTS WILL NATURALLY 
GRAVITATE TO WHERE THE CROWD IS GOING.  "IF THE TREND 
CONTINUES," THEY SAID, "WE WILL HAVE NONE GOING TO THE 
U.S." 
 
7.  PAO MET WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE U.S. EDUCATIONAL 
GROUP, A COMPANY THAT HAS BROUGHT US REPRESENTATIVES TO THE 
UAE FOR EDUCATIONAL FAIRS FOR YEARS.  SPRING 2000 WAS THEIR 
LAST TOUR HERE, WITH 30 UNIVERSITIES REPRESENTED.  AFTER 3 
YEARS HE WAS ABLE TO CONVINCE 12 REPRESENTATIVES TO COME TO 
THE UAE BY SLASHING THE PRICE OF THE TOUR. HE SAID THAT OF 
THE 1/2 MILLION FOREIGN STUDENTS IN THE US, ONLY 30,000 NOW 
ARE FROM THE MIDDLE EAST, WHEREAS AT ONE TIME THERE WERE 
20,000 SAUDIS ALONE.  HE STRESSED THAT AUSTRALIA IN 
PARTICULAR WAS PLAYING UP THE FACT THAT PARENTS COULD FEEL 
MORE SECURE WITH THEIR CHILDREN NOT IN THE U.S.  ONE VERY 
PRAGMATIC RESULT OF THE CHANGE IN DESTINATION HE MENTIONED 
WAS IN ENGINEERING.  ENGINEERS GRADUATING FROM NON-US 
SCHOOLS MAY NO LONGER DESIGN PROJECTS ACCORDING TO US 
SPECIFICATIONS, WHICH WOULD HAVE DEFINITE IMPLICATIONS FOR 
US COMPANIES WANTING TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE MIDDLE EAST. 
 
8. PAO ALSO MET WITH THE HEAD OF THE SCHOLARSHIP OFFICE OF 
EDAAD, A PROGRAM INITIATED BY THE CROWN PRINCE OF DUBAI IN 
2001 WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF PROVIDING A STRONG EDUCATIONAL 
BASE AND EXCEPTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUTURE 
LEADERS. THE PROGRAM STARTED IN 2001 WITH THE INTENTION TO 
SEND ALL THE SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS TO THE U.S., BUT THE 
TERRORIST ATTACKS CHANGED THAT PLAN.  FOR 2001-2003, THEY 
SENT STUDENTS TO BOTH BA AND MA-LEVEL PROGRAMS; IN 2004, 
THEY DECIDED TO CONCENTRATE ON MA STUDENTS. THE TOTAL HAS 
REACHED 227 STUDENTS AND OF THESE, ONLY 36 ARE IN THE U.S., 
THE REST ARE ATTENDING UNIVERSITIES IN AUSTRALIA, CANADA, 
FRANCE, AND SWEDEN, WITH THE MAJORITY IN THE UK. EVEN 
THOUGH THE U.S. IS STILL BEING PROMOTED BY THE AMERICAN 
HEAD OF THE PROGRAM, PERCEPTION OF BIAS AND ANTAGONISM, AS 
WELL AS VISA DIFFICULTY, WAS KEEPING STUDENTS FROM 
ACCEPTING OPPORTUNITIES TO STUDY IN THE U.S. 
 
9.  THE INCREASE IN OPPORTUNITIES INSIDE THE UAE IS ALSO 
PROVIDING A VIABLE OPTION FOR MANY STUDENTS WHO WOULD HAVE 
GONE ABROAD.  IN ADDITION TO THE FREE GOVERNMENT UAE 
UNIVERSITY IN AL AIN WHICH HAS A WEAK ENGLISH PROGRAM, 
WOMEN CAN NOW STUDY IN ENGLISH AT ONE OF THE HIGHER 
COLLEGES OF TECHNOLOGY WHICH EXIST IN EVERY EMIRATE.  TWO 
CAMPUSES OF ZAYED UNIVERSITY FOR WOMEN (AN ENGLISH- 
LANGUAGE, AMERICAN-BASED CURRICULUM) ARE IN ABU DHABI AND 
DUBAI.  BOTH UAEU AND ZAYED U. HAVE STARTED SELECTED 
GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND EDUCATION. 
PRIVATE, FEE-BASED UNIVERSITIES, OFTEN WITH AMERICAN OR 
FOREIGN (UK, AUSTRALIA) AFFILIATION ALSO OFFER 
ALTERNATIVES. MANY PEOPLE TELL PAO NOW THAT THEIR DAUGHTERS 
ARE NOT ALLOWED TO GO ABROAD WITHOUT A CHAPERONE, A FACT 
WHICH RESULTED IN THE DECISION OF THE TWO PLUS PARTICIPANTS 
TO NOT ACCEPT THEIR SCHOLARSHIPS. TWO WOMEN WHO GRADUATED 
FROM GEORGETOWN AND AU IN THE 70S TOLD PAO THAT IT 
SURPRISES THEM THAT SOCIETY WAS A LOT MORE LIBERAL WHEN 
THEY WERE SENT ABROAD ALMOST 30 YEARS AGO. 
 
BUSINESS TRAVEL 
--------------- 
 
10. THE (U.S. EDUCATED) CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR HAS TOLD U.S. 
OFFICIALS THAT HE DOES NOT WANT TO SEND HIS STAFF TO THE 
U.S. FOR TRAINING.  HE CITED THE DETENTION AND QUESTIONING 
OF THE UAE AMBASSADOR ON HIS RETURN TO THE U.S. FROM LAST 
FALL'S WTO MINISTERIAL IN MEXICO.  HE NOTED "IF THEY WILL 
DELAY AN AMBASSADOR, THEY WILL THROW MY PEOPLE IN JAIL." 
 
11. MANY UAE NATIONALS AND OTHER MIDDLE EAST PROFESSIONALS 
LOOK ON BUSINESS TRAVEL TO THE U.S. AS A CHORE.  EACH UAE 
NATIONAL HAS STORIES OF BUSINESS ASSOCIATES OR FRIENDS 
HAVING BEEN REJECTED FOR A VISA OR SUBJECT TO LONG DELAYS 
IN VISA ISSUANCE RESULTING IN MISSED MEETINGS, CONFERENCES 
AND APPOINTMENTS.  OTHERS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS UPON ARRIVAL IN 
THE U.S.  VERY FEW OF THE COMMERCIAL SERVICE'S REGULAR 
CONTACTS GO TO THE U.S. FOR ANY PURPOSE, WHEREAS 4 YEARS 
AGO, IT WAS THEIR FAVORITE DESTINATION FOR VACATION, 
BUSINESS, AND MEDICAL TRAVEL. A DELAYED VISA OR HARASSMENT 
AT THE U.S. AIRPORT IS A GREAT FEAR IN THIS NATION, WHERE 
FACE AND PRIDE ARE PARAMOUNT.  MANY UAE NATIONAL 
BUSINESSPEOPLE HAVE SAID THEY WOULD RATHER NOT APPLY THAN 
RISK BEING REJECTED (SEE REFTEL.)  BELOW ARE SEVERAL 
EXAMPLES OF THE IMPACT OF THE NEW VISA REQUIREMENTS ON U.S. 
BUSINESS INTERESTS IN THE UAE. 
 
(A) ONE OF THE LARGEST U.S. ENGINEERING FIRMS IS HAVING 
PROBLEMS FULFILLING TWO CONTRACTS WORTH $30 MILLION WITH 
THE UAE'S GAS COMPANY, GASCO, DUE TO PERCEIVED LENGTHY 
WAITS FOR VISAS.  WHEN UAE ENGINEERS TASKED WITH CARRYING 
OUT THE WORK FOR THE UAE CANNOT GET VISAS QUICKLY TO GO TO 
THE U.S. TO ATTEND REQUIRED TRAINING, UAE CLIENTS, 
CONTRACTS, AND VALUABLE JOBS, GO ELSEWHERE, USUALLY TO 
CANADA, GERMANY, FRANCE, UK, AND OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES 
WILLING TO ISSUE VISAS EXPEDITIOUSLY. 
 
(B) MANY LOCAL CLIENTS, INCLUDING THE UAE OIL PARASTATAL 
ADNOC, HAVE TOLD US THAT SINCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 
NEW VISA PROCEDURES THEY WILL AVOID "BUYING AMERICAN" WHEN 
POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTY IN GETTING VISAS FOR 
THEIR STAFF TO ATTEND TRAINING OR CONDUCTING INSPECTIONS IN 
THE U.S.  THE UAE OFFSETS GROUP HAD HOPED TO SET UP A 
TRAINING SCHOOL FOR PILOTS IN THE UAE, BUT RAN INTO 
DIFFICULTY GETTING VISAS FOR INSTRUCTION IN THE U.S.  THE 
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT, IN CONTRAST, FACILITATED THE TRAVEL 
OF UAE PERSONNEL AND THE UAE OFFSETS GROUP, UNDER THE 
PATRONAGE OF THE DEPUTY CROWN PRINCE, HAS NOW BEGUN A 
VALUABLE, LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP WITH A NEW AUSTRALIAN 
SERVICE PROVIDER.  THE OFFICIAL IN CHARGE OF THIS PROJECT 
STRONGLY PREFERRED TRAINING HIS PEOPLE AT A SCHOOL IN THE 
U.S., BUT NOW THIS MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR TRAINING PROGRAM 
AND THE NUMEROUS FOLLOW-ON CONTRACTS ARE LOST TO THE U.S 
 
(C) ANOTHER LOSS OCCURRED WHEN A U.S. OIL COMPANY MADE AN 
INVESTMENT IN EXCESS OF $300 MILLION IN THE DOLPHIN ENERGY 
PROJECT, BUT UAE PROJECT STAFF WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN VISAS 
TO ATTEND NECESSARY AND REQUIRED TRAINING IN THE U.S.  THE 
FRENCH PROMPTLY GRANTED VISAS FOR THE UAE STAFF AND SO 
OBTAINED THE CONTRACT FOR THE TRAINING. 
 
MEDICAL TRAVEL 
-------------- 
 
12. (A) ACCORDING TO U.S. FIRMS IN THE MEDICAL SECTOR, THE 
NUMBER OF PATIENTS TRAVELING TO THE U.S. FOR MEDICAL 
TREATMENT HAS DECLINED DRAMATICALLY SINCE THE 
IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW VISA PROCEDURES.  ESTIMATES FROM 
THESE INSTITUTIONS RANGE FROM A 50% TO 90% DECREASE IN 
PATIENTS TRAVELING TO THE U.S. FOR EVALUATION AND TREATMENT 
- WITH A GOOD PORTION OF BUSINESS THAT WOULD HAVE GONE TO 
THESE U.S. ENTITIES NOW HEADING TO EUROPE, SINGAPORE AND 
CANADA.  THE DIRECTOR OF ONE OF THE MAJOR GOVERNMENT 
HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS IN THE UAE INFORMED THE SCO THAT THE 
NUMBER OF PATIENTS THEY SEND TO THE U.S. HAS DROPPED FROM 
APPROX. 200 A YEAR TO 10, MAINLY DUE TO DELAYS IN VISAS 
(LARGELY FOR ACCOMPANYING FAMILY MEMBERS) AND PARTLY DUE TO 
THE PATIENTS UNWILLINGNESS TO TRAVEL TO THE U.S. THINKING 
THEY MIGHT BE MISTREATED.  IN JANUARY, THE LOCAL PRESS 
QUOTED THE MIDDLE EAST REGIONAL MANAGER FOR THE MAYO CLINIC 
AS SAYING THAT THEY HAVE SEEN A DROP OF 30-40 PERCENT IN 
PATIENTS COMING FROM THE ARABIAN GULF REGION FOLLOWING 
9/11. 
 
(B) THERE DOES SEEM TO BE RECOGNITION THAT THE VISA PROCESS 
IS GETTING BETTER AS COMPARED TO LAST YEAR AND THE YEAR 
BEFORE, BUT WITH DAMAGE ALREADY INFLICTED AND PERCEPTIONS 
IN PLACE THAT WILL TAKE TIME TO CHANGE, MOST INSTITUTIONS 
ARE ATTEMPTING ALTERNATIVE AVENUES TO MAINTAIN THEIR 
CLIENTELE.  ACCORDING TO LOCAL PRESS REPORTS, SEVERAL U.S. 
HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS ARE LOOKING AT ESTABLISHING THEMSELVES 
IN THE UAE TO PROVIDE SERVICE.  HARVARD MEDICAL 
INTERNATIONAL HAS A FACILITY AT DUBAI HEALTHCARE CITY 
(DHCC) AND REPORTEDLY PLANS TO ESTABLISH A RESEARCH 
FACILITY AND PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY CENTER THERE.  THE MAYO 
CLINIC RECENTLY ESTABLISHED A CARDIOLOGY CENTER IN DUBAI 
MANNED BY SPECIALISTS WHO FLY IN ONE WEEK A MONTH.  IT IS 
ALSO REPORTEDLY PLANNING TO SET UP A FACILITY AT DHCC, AS 
IS JOHNS HOPKINS.  ONE U.S. INSTITUTION IS SENDING PATIENTS 
WHO WOULD HAVE TRADITIONALLY GONE TO THE U.S. TO ITS 
FACILITIES IN SINGAPORE.  ADDITIONALLY, INSTITUTIONS ARE 
LOOKING AT HOW TO UTILIZE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS WITH 
INSTITUTIONS IN EUROPE AND CANADA TO COMPENSATE FOR THE 
DECREASE IN FOREIGN PATIENT TRAVEL TO THE U.S.  THE MAYO 
CLINIC HAS INCREASED ITS LABORATORY TESTING SERVICES TO 
CUSTOMERS IN THE ARABIAN GULF BY 40 PERCENT IN TERMS OF 
VOLUME AND HAS SIGNED UP SEVERAL HOSPITALS IN THE REGION TO 
BE THEIR MAJOR REFERENCE LABORATORY. 
 
PERCEPTIONS AND MISPERCEPTIONS 
------------------------------ 
 
13. PRIOR TO 9/11, ALL UAE NATIONALS WERE NOT REQUIRED TO 
APPEAR FOR A PERSONAL INTERVIEW AND MOST HAD THEIR VISAS 
WITHIN 24 HOURS.  POST 9/11 VISA PROCESSING REQUIREMENTS 
CHANGED THE MANNER IN WHICH ALL VISA APPLICATIONS ARE 
PROCESSED TO INCLUDE THOSE OF UAE NATIONALS.  THE CHANGE 
WAS NEEDED AS THE UNITED STATES MOVED TO TIGHTEN SECURITY 
ON ITS BORDERS AND THE MAJORITY OF UAE NATIONALS READILY 
ACCEPTED THIS.  HOWEVER, MANY UAE VISA APPLICANTS BEGAN TO 
GET CAUGHT IN THE CHANGEOVER PROCESS TO TIGHTER SECURITY 
SCREENING AND SAW THEIR RESPECTIVE APPLICATIONS PUT ON HOLD 
FOR MONTHS, SOMETIMES INDEFINITELY.   IN ADDITION, THE 
SERIES OF DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS) DOMESTIC 
REGISTRATION AND EXIT/ENTRY PROCEDURES INCLUDING SEVIS, 
NSEERS, USVISIT BEWILDERED MANY OF THOSE WHO TRAVELED TO 
THE UNITED STATES. THEIR CONFUSION WAS ONLY COMPOUNDED WHEN 
THEY WERE FOUND TO BE IN VIOLATION THOSE DHS REQUIREMENTS. 
 
14.  UAE NATIONALS NUMBER ABOUT 800,000 IN A COUNTRY WITH A 
POPULATION OF ABOUT 4 MILLION.  WORD OF MOUTH AMONG THE UAE 
COMMUNITY TRAVELS QUICKLY.  WHEN ONE UAE STUDENT ENCOUNTERS 
A SIGNIFICANT DELAY IN THE ISSUANCE OF HIS VISA OR IS 
DENIED, MANY PROSPECTIVE UAE STUDENTS HEAR ABOUT IT.  THE 
SAME HOLDS TRUE FOR INCIDENTS THAT HAPPEN AT THE US PORTS 
OF ENTRY.   WHETHER THE INDIVIDUAL IS A UAE BUSINESSMAN OR 
STUDENT, IF HE BELIEVES HE IS BEING TREATED UNJUSTLY, 
UNFAIRLY OR WITH DISCRIMINATION, HIS STORY WILL TRAVEL 
QUICKLY AMONG HIS COMPATRIOTS AND SOMETIMES BE BLOWN OUT OF 
PROPORTION.   MANY PROSPECTIVE BUSINESSMAN, STUDENTS OR 
TOURISTS HAVE DETERMINED IT IS NOT WORTH THE HASSLE AND 
TROUBLE APPLYING FOR A VISA AND TRAVELING TO THE UNITED 
STATES.  MANY HAVE OPTED FOR EUROPE AND THE UNITED KINGDOM 
IN PARTICULAR. THE BRITISH CONSUL IN ABU DHABI HAS REPORTED 
THAT VISA APPLICATIONS FROM UAE NATIONALS HAVE INCREASED 70 
PERCENT IN THE LAST THREE YEARS.  THE AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY 
HAS OPENED AN EDUCATION ADVISING OFFICE TO FACILITATE UAE 
STUDENTS WANTING TO STUDY IN AUSTRALIA.  THESE OTHER 
MISSIONS WILL NOTICE THE GRADUAL RISE OF OUR UAE NATIONAL 
VISA APPLICANTS. THIS MAY FURTHER COMPLICATE OUR EFFORTS TO 
ATTRACT UAE TRAVELERS BACK TO THE US AS THESE MISSIONS WILL 
REDOUBLE THEIR EFFORTS TO MAINTAIN THEIR OWN HIGH LEVELS OF 
UAE APPLICANTS. HOWEVER, UAE NATIONALS THAT HAVE TRAVELED 
TO OTHER WESTERN NATIONS FOR EDUCATION OR BUSINESS STILL 
COMMUNICATE TO US THEIR DESIRE TO RETURN TO THE UNITED 
STATES. TO THAT END, THE MISSION IS TAKING CONCRETE STEPS 
TO NURTURE THE NASCENT GROUP OF UAE NATIONALS THAT ARE NOW 
ENCOUNTERING EXPEDITIOUS VISA PROCESSING AND WHOSE 
EXPERIENCE WILL BE SHARED WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS. 
 
15. THE EMBASSY AND THE CONSULATE IN DUBAI HAVE UNDERTAKEN 
A PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN TO EXPLAIN THE RULES OF VISAS 
TO TARGET AUDIENCES, SUCH AS STUDENTS, AND WILL CONTINUE TO 
WORK ON CORRECTING WIDESPREAD MISPERCEPTIONS.  OUTREACH 
EFFORTS HAVE INCLUDED PRESENTATIONS, BRIEFINGS AND QUESTION 
AND ANSWER SESSIONS WITH TRAVEL BUSINESS GROUPS, SCHOOLS, 
MEDICAL GROUPS, CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND MEDIA GROUPS. 
MISSION EMPLOYEES TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY -- 
FROM THE VISA INTERVIEW WINDOW TO DIPLOMATIC RECEPTIONS -- 
TO ADVERTISE THE GOOD NEWS ON IMPROVED VISA PROCESSING. 
AND THE MISSION HAS A SPECIAL FOCUS ON STUDENT APPLICANTS. 
BOTH THE EMBASSY AND CONSULATE INTERVIEW STUDENTS ON A WALK- 
IN BASIS.  IN DOING SO, WE CAN INFLUENCE THE POWERFUL YET 
DOUBLE-EDGED MEDIUM OF WORD OF MOUTH, WHICH AS MENTIONED 
ABOVE SERVED TO MAGNIFY NEGATIVE EXPERIENCES AND CAN NOW 
HELP PUBLICIZE THE IMPROVEMENTS WE HAVE PUT IN PLACE AND 
CORRECT THE MISPERCEPTIONS ABOUT TRAVEL TO THE UNITED 
STATES AND THE US VISA PROCESS. WHILE THE RETURN TO PRE- 
9/11 TRAVEL PATTERNS BY UAE NATIONALS WILL TAKE TIME, WE 
ARE COMMITTED TO USING ALL THE TOOLS AT OUR DISPOSAL TO GET 
OUT THE SECRETARY'S MESSAGE OF "SECURE BORDERS/OPEN DOORS." 
ALBRIGHT