VZCZCXYZ0013
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBH #0110/01 0332153
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 022152Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY NASSAU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0272
INFO RUEHBH/AMEMBASSY NASSAU

UNCLAS NASSAU 000110 
 
SIPDIS 
STATE FOR CA/FPP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CVIS KFRD BF
SUBJECT: Validation Study: Bahamian F1 visa holders 
 
¶1.       SUMMARY: Due to limited choices in post-secondary 
educational institutions in the Bahamas, each year many Bahamians 
choose to study in the United States. In November and December, 
2009, Post completed a validation study examining overstay rates 
for Bahamian nationals studying on F-1 visas. The sample of 680 
students was pulled from applicants between April 1, 2002 and March 
31, 2003. The results indicate that while more than 90% of visa 
holders from the survey were found to be in legal status, many 
adjusted to a status other than student after arriving in the 
United States. 
 
¶2.       METHODOLOGY: Post conducted a study of 680 F-1 Bahamian 
visa recipients. Due to the duration of F-1 visas, the sample had 
to be pulled from April 1, 2002-March 31, 2003. Because the 
applications available were at least six years old, many phone 
numbers were either not available or inaccurate. The majority of 
the data collection was conducted through ADIS and SEVIS queries 
with phone calls playing a minor roll. The validation study covered 
a 365-day period from April 1, 2002 until March 31, 2003. This data 
range was chosen to allow for students to complete college with any 
addition OPT/internships that may follow. Using CA/FPP guideline, a 
random sample was used to select 680 F-1 visa holders. 
 
¶3.       DATA COLLECTION: Due to the unreliability of phone 
numbers, Post found that it was impossible in most cases to contact 
visa holders by phone. The initial data collection was done with a 
batch ADIS and SEVIS search performed by FPP. The results of this 
search were integrated into the main spreadsheet and were cross 
checked by doing individual ADIS searches. Applicants were then 
placed into the categories listed below. 
 
¶4.       THE FOUR STATUS CATEGORIES: 
 
a.       Confirmed Return: Of the 680 issuances, 450 are confirmed 
returns. 
 
b.      In Legal Status other than F1: Of the 680 issuances, 97 
were found to be in legal status in the United States, most 
commonly as LPRs or with H1Bs. 
 
c.       Active Student: Of the 680 issuances, 42 are still 
actively students per SEVIS. 
 
d.      Inconclusive/Possible overstay: Of the 680 issuances, 73 
are inconclusive as to their current status. Because phone numbers 
were not available, Post was unable to confirm that these 73 
issuants were overstays although it is likely many of them are. 
 
¶5.       RESULTS: Although Post was unable to confirm any 
overstays, 10.7% of F-1 holders are inconclusive/possible 
overstays. 
 
Category 
 
Total Number 
 
Percentage 
 
Confirmed Return 
 
466 
 
68.50% 
 
In Legal Status 
 
98 
 
14.40% 
 
Active SEVIS Status 
 
43 
 
6.30% 
 
Inconclusive/Possible overstay 
 
73 
 
10.70% 
 
¶6.       Post further analyzed the results based on gender. The 
following tables show a break-down of each of the categories based 
on gender. It can be noted that there isn't a significant 
difference between men and women. 
 
Women 
 
Category 
 
Total Number 
 
Percentage 
 
Confirmed Return 
 
269 
 
69.10% 
 
In Legal Status 
 
56 
 
14.40% 
 
Active SEVIS Status 
 
27 
 
6.90% 
 
Inconclusive/Possible overstay 
 
37 
 
9.50% 
 
 
Men 
 
 
Category 
 
Total Number 
 
Percentage 
 
Confirmed Return 
 
197 
 
67.70% 
 
In Legal Status 
 
42 
 
14.40% 
 
Active SEVIS Status 
 
16 
 
5.50% 
 
Inconclusive/Possible overstay 
 
36 
 
12.40% 
 
 
 
¶7.       Although 93% of F-1 issuants are between the ages of 20 
and 39, there are issuants from 14 to 59 years old. The following 
tables show a more in-depth look at the trends based on age. A few 
trends can be noted: older students are more likely to finish their 
studies and return home, the 30-39 year age group had the highest 
rate of adjusting status after finishing schooling, and the 20-29 
year age group has the longest duration of status. 
 
Age 
 
Confirmed Return 
 
In Legal Status 
 
Active SEVIS 
 
Inconclusive/Possible overstay 
 
0-19 
 
50% 
 
0% 
 
0% 
 
50% 
 
20-29 
 
69.80% 
 
10.70% 
 
7.90% 
 
11.60% 
 
30-39 
 
64.40% 
 
24.90% 
 
3.40% 
 
7.30% 
 
40-49 
 
72.70% 
 
12.10% 
 
3.00% 
 
12.10% 
 
50-59 
 
75.00% 
 
8.30% 
 
0.00% 
 
16.70% 
 
¶8.       Of the 98 in a current legal status other than their 
original F1 status, about two-thirds of these were in an immigrant 
status with the remaining one-third in a non-immigrant status, 
primarily on H1B work visas. Comparing the date the original F1 
visa was printed to the final completion or termination date of 
their SEVIS status, it appears that most changed their status only 
after four to five years in the U.S.  This lengthy period of active 
SEVIS status indicates that while many F1 visa holders did change 
to another status, it does not appear that was the primary, 
immediate purpose for traveling to the U.S. 
 
¶9.       CONCLUSIONS: Nearly 90% of F1 visa holders were found to 
be a current legal status with the remaining 10% being inconclusive 
due to old telephone information. Although it seems more than 90% 
of F1 issuances are in a legal status, a significant percentage 
adjusted to another upon arriving in the United States, often 
through work or family relationships. While it is understandable 
that applicants' lives will change over lengthy educational 
careers, particularly for those in the 20-39 age range, 
adjudicating officers should continue to assess the intent of 
student visa applicants in order to minimize potential fraud. 
AVANT