THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME: NORWAY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 OSLO 000219

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR CA/VO/F/P, CA/FPP, EUR/NB
DEPT ALSO PASS TO KCC
LONDON ALSO FOR DHS/USCIS
COPENHAGEN ALSO FOR DHS/ICE
FRANKFURT FOR RCO

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CVIS KFRD CMGT ASEC NO
SUBJECT: THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME: NORWAY

REF: 04 STATE 172283

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Summary
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1. Embassy Oslo's Fraud Prevention Unit (FPU) recently conducted a
validation study of B-1/B-2 visas issued in calendar year 2008. A
random sample of 800 cases was generated and validated. The few
detected non-returns appeared to confirm that Post's long-held
institutional approach to NIV adjudication is sound. End Summary.

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Methodology
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2. We conducted the validation study as a manual lookup of sample
visa recipients in the DHS Arrival and Departure Information System
(ADIS).


3. To create the survey sample, we relied on the guidance of CA SOP
74 (reftel),CA/FPP's CCD-to-Excel data export instructions, and the
validation study tips in the November/December 2008 Fraud Digest.
Using an estimated overstay rate of 10 percent and a target date
range of the 6 months from January 1 through June 30, 2008, we
generated a randomly-selected sample of 800 B-1/B-2 recipients (out
of the 1,654 issued during the period).


4. Post's Fraud Prevention Manager (FPM) then individually looked up
in ADIS the recorded arrival and departures of all 800 cases.

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The Sample: A Mix
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5. Of the 800 cases reviewed, 54% were Norwegians and 46% were
Third-Country Nationals (TCNs). As most Norwegians utilize the Visa
Waiver Program (VWP) for routine business/pleasure travel, our
Norwegian B-1/B-2 applicant pool is comprised of primarily crew,
retirees avoiding the long Norwegian winters, frequent business
travelers, and those with criminal or immigration violation
ineligibilities. The highest percentage of TCN issuances were to
travelers from (in descending order): Russia, Philippines, China,
India, and Poland.

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The Results: 7 Stayed
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6. Of the 800 sample visa recipients, 15% (119) never traveled on
their visa, reducing the "true" sample size for evaluation to 681.
Of the 681 who used their visas, there were 663 ADIS-confirmed
timely departures. Of the 18 without an ADIS-confirmed departure, 8
were still in the United States within their DHS/CBP-approved
admission period, either because they arrived well after the 6-month
sample period, or because they were given a 1-year admission.
Another three, based on our checks with employers and others, appear
to have left the U.S. without ADIS capturing their departure (two of
these were likely departures by sea).


7. Of the remaining seven:

-- Five filed for Adjustment of Status (AOS). Among these were 2
Norwegian children of American citizens, and one Iranian parent of
an American.

-- One filed for asylum. A 30-year-old Ethiopian man was the only
confirmed asylum seeker among our 800.

-- One stayed without an asylum/AOS application. A 15-year-old
Cuban boy appears to have migrated to Miami on his B-1/B-2,
accompanied by his Cuban-born, Norwegian-passport-holding mother who
traveled on the Visa Waiver Program. DHS/USCIS had no record of a
subsequent application for asylum or AOS. His Norwegian school
reports he didn't return for the next school year, and the mother's
telephone accounts have been closed.

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Conclusion
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8. Despite the high percentage of TCNs and nationalities applying
in Oslo, returning to Norway (or simply departing the U.S.) is the

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prevailing norm. With one of the highest standards of living in the
world, well-paid skilled and unskilled job opportunities, free
healthcare, generous scholarships, and a liberal asylum policy,
Norway is now an attractive "home" to many who were previously less
fortunate. While visa validation studies do not capture non-overstay
status violations such as unauthorized work, it appears clear that
the attractions of Norway make it a difficult place to abandon for
long.


9. The Study also speaks to the success of Post's NIV adjudications,
at least in terms of filtering out intending overstays. In this
context, Post's 3.6 percent overall adjusted NIV refusal rate last
year appears to have been adequate. The good results highlight,
too, the breadth of knowledge needed by Oslo line officers to deal
appropriately with the 83 different nationalities applying during
the selected six-month period.

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Comment
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10. The scope of this study largely preceded the global economic
downturn. In view of Norway's better-than-average weathering of the
crisis, however, Post believes the results remain valid.


WHITNEY