Special to WorldTribune.com

ABU DHABI — The United States has made Saudi Arabians the most
welcome of all foreigners.

Diplomats said the State Department has provided guidelines that make
Saudis the most likely to receive a visa to the United States.

They said the visa approval rate is 94 percent, with the review period
reduced to less than at any other time since Al Qaida’s suicide air strikes
in New York and Washington in 2001.

“That’s the highest approval rate for any country in the world,” U.S.
ambassador to Riyad, James Smith, said.

For at least five years after the Al Qaida attacks, conducted by 15
Saudis, the State Department tightened procedures on visas to Saudi
nationals. But diplomats said the visa approval rate soared during the
administration of President Barack Obama.

Smith said Saudis could receive an appointment for a visa application in 10 days. He said such a meeting would have taken more than 100 days as late as 2009.

Moreover, the State Department has enabled the U.S. Embassy in Riyad to issue five-year visas for Saudi students. Diplomats said the department was encouraging Saudis to enroll in U.S. universities.

In an interview to the Jedda-based Arab News on April 20, Smith said
Saudi and U.S. culture was similar. He said 2,000 U.S. universities have
been accredited by the Saudi embassy in Washington.

In January 2012, a Saudi student was arrested in Washington for
allegedly threatening to blow up the White House. Diplomats said the arrest
did not have repercussions on the visa process in Riyad.

“If you plan to apply 60 days before traveling, the chances of you
getting the visa are 90 percent,” Smith, said. “There is no reason to wait
till the last minute.”

  Al Qaida, highest of any country, Obama’s America: Saudi visa approval rate highest of any country at 94 percent, Saudis encouraged to enroll in U.S. universities, U.S. Embassy in Riyad, U.S. State Department