Client: SI International/Bureau of Consular Affairs

Mission Requirement: The US Department of State (DOS) is responsible for controlling the number of visas issued by the United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS). They needed a method to control the number of visas issued by USCIS offices all over the country. This would require the processing of applications previously prepared at USCIS posts around the country to be centralized, improving timeliness and accuracy of the applications. Improved coordination between the US Department of State and the United States Citizen and immigration Services was also essential.

Challenge: How do we allow USCIS offices all over the country to apply for visas on a real time basis? Hundreds of USCIS offices had unique procedures for processing applications. Standardization was essential. A thorough understanding of the DOS mission and federal regulations was required to streamline these procedures. As immigration laws are extremely complex and change frequently the business requirements for visa processing must be closely managed

Solution: Quantum Information Systems consultants began by evaluating and streamlining numerous methods for processing. The business process engineering staff consolidated processes from around the country into a single efficient process for the administration of millions of visa applications each year. A client server application was developed to control the number of visas issued on a monthly basis. This was linked to a web based application that could be accessed anywhere in the country.

Benefit: USCIS offices can now apply for Visa allocations on a real time basis from all over the country. Quantum Information Systems working with SI International was able to speed up the process by combining the client server application controlling the number of visas with a web based application, which allowed immediate approval.