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More Tanzanians travelled to US this year
2007-07-07 10:41:59
By Guardian Reporter
The United States mission in Tanzania has said more Tanzanian visitors headed to the US this year than any year since 2002.
The statement issued by the embassy said over 1600 Tanzanians had obtained visitors visas to the US in the first six months of 2007.
``They have got visas to see family, conduct business or engage in tourism. This marks a 5-year high for visa issuances,`` the statement said.
The mission said the total number of visitors\' visas issued in the first half of 2007 is 14 per cent more than the same time last year.
``This is the largest positive gain in visa issuances in the past 7 years. The embassy officers are heartened by the increased interest in travel,`` it said.
``It indicates success in their task to encourage and facilitate the journeys of legitimate travellers while guarding against illegal immigrants, criminals, and terrorists,`` it said.
The mission said visa demand in Tanzania fell by forty per cent in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks.
The mission said the situation remained low for several years. ``It is only now showing signs of rising to previous levels.``
The statement said further that the US consular section saw a similar pattern with student visas.
``The Department of State, starting with Secretary Condoleezza Rice, regards foreign students as vitally important contacts with other countries that should be strongly encouraged,`` it read.
The mission said the news from Tanzania gets better every year and that in 2007, the embassy expects to issue over 550 student visas, which would be 25 per cent over last year`s total.
``The figures disprove the rumours that very few visas are issued to Tanzanian applicants. Around 80 per cent of Tanzanian applicants for visitor visas and 75 per cent of student visas are successful.
These are among the highest issuance rates for sub-Saharan Africa,`` the statement said.
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