KING ABDULLAH MAKES THE CASE FOR LONGER US VISA

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 002462

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/10/2017
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL SA
SUBJECT: KING ABDULLAH MAKES THE CASE FOR LONGER US VISA
VALIDITY

Classified By: Ambassador Ford Fraker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) During the Ambassador's December 7 meeting with the
King, King Abdullah made a specific point of stating his hope
that visa reciprocity between Saudi Arabia and the United
States soon be increased from two to five years. He
reiterated Saudi Arabia's willingness to move forward on this
issue. He said that he wanted more young Saudis to be
educated in the United States and that they were very eager
to go. However, now they are going to "Australia and Japan"
because they can not get visas to the United States. "Both
our countries are losing." The King said he had raised this
problem with the President in the past and planned to do so
again during the upcoming visit.


2. (C) Comment: Visas remain a very high priority issue for
the King. It was the first topic he raised with the
Ambassador after having agreed to the upcoming Presidential
visit. He is spending tens of millions of dollars sending
Saudi students to study abroad. He recognizes that the
surest way to modernize the thinking of young Saudis is to
get them out of Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, the King is
correct that many Saudi students are now choosing to study in
countries other than the United States. Canada and Great
Britain are other leading destinations. Nevertheless, the
United States remains the destination of choice for most
young Saudis and the King faces a domestic political issue
from students and parents who want him to fix their American
visa problems.


3. (C) To be perfectly clear, it is the duration of the
visa, rather than its initial issuance, that causes most
Saudi students a problem. As the visa affects only entry
into the United States, a Saudi student with a two year visa
can legally remain in the United States for as long as he is
enrolled as a student. During his first two years in the
United States, he can reenter the country as often as he
likes. However, once the two year visa has expired, he can
remain legally enrolled as a student, but he can no longer go
home for a visit without getting a new visa while back in
Saudi Arabia. It can take months to get the new visa. Many
students have missed a semester waiting for their return
visa. Many others have decided not to come home until their
studies are finished. Just yesterday, the local press
reported on Saudi students who are choosing to have their
weddings in the United States so they do not have to come
home and face the need for a new visa. Unfortunately, as the
King pointed out, more and more Saudis are simply seeking to
avoid the issue by studying in other countries.


4. (C) As an indication of the seriousness with which the
King takes the visa issue, he has asked Foreign Minister Saud
Al Faisal to take the lead in expanding visa reciprocity with
the United States to five years. A six month pilot program
is now under interagency review. We fully agree that
educating the next generation of Saudi leaders in the United
States will help modernize the Kingdom and ultimately win the
War on Terror. Moreover, we are equally committed to
promoting the welfare of American travelers and businessmen
who will benefit greatly from less restrictive Saudi visa
policies. End comment.
FRAKER