U.S. Immigrant Visa Applications (Project 1)

Completion Date:

07-31-2023

Project Overview

I have personally witnessed the hardships faced by some visa applicants enduring long waits for visas. As a former U.S. Visa/Consular Assistant for over ten years, I regret that I could only offer my apologies for some delays resulting from processing time. This project is dedicated to helping those who endure visa waits while also striving to prevent such hardships in the future and to improving the operations of my esteemed former Employer. By analyzing U.S. Immigrant Visa Application data from 2011 to 2014, specifically related to I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers visa, the project aims to create a better visa application system for the U.S. Government, Employers, and all Visa Applicants. The focus is on streamlining procedures, utilizing advanced technology including AI, and improving communication to make the process smoother and more satisfying for all involved.

Role:

Power BI Developer

Problem Statement

The US immigration visa application process faces certain challenges and inefficiencies that adversely affect the Government, Employers, and Visa applicants. According to an article on immigrationlawyerblog.com published on January 2022, processing times for Form I-140 immigrant petitions for alien workers increased to 8.2 months when compared to 5.8 months in fiscal year 2019, with some cases experiencing even longer delays. These issues impede efficiency, transparency, and stakeholder satisfaction. Delays, backlogs, and transparency concerns hinder the process and impact economic demands and national interests. Employers face difficulties in hiring international talent, while applicants endure frustration and uncertainty.

Executive Summary

Data Dictionary

Key Takeaways

Next Steps

Suggestions/Recommendations:

1. The remarkable 27.6% increase in visa applications in 2013, following a significant decline of 28.5% in 2012, highlights the need to utilize AI (Artificial Intelligence) for enhancing the visa processing system, and its effectiveness can be measured. AI implementation facilitates sentiment analysis, enabling an evaluation of applicant satisfaction and identification of areas for process enhancement. Moreover, AI-driven predictive analytics can forecast the probability of visa approval for new applicants, optimizing resource allocation and processing time estimation. The collaboration of AI\'s efficiency with human judgment ensures fairness, and Power BI can be utilized to monitor progress and assess the impact of these enhancements on visa processing outcomes. As a result, the visa processing system becomes more efficient, with improved applicant satisfaction, reduced processing times, and better resource allocation, leading to a smoother and more effective visa processing experience for all stakeholders involved.

2. Significant 60% Decrease in Ethiopian Visa Applications from Ethiopia between 2012 and 2013 requires targeted outreach efforts and technology-driven solutions. Technology will be employed to improve communication and outreach channels for Ethiopian applicants. Online resources with multilingual support will be developed to provide clear information and guidance. Data analytics will be utilized to understand barriers faced by Ethiopian applicants and customize strategies to address their needs. Measuring application numbers, engagement levels, and feedback from Ethiopian applicants will assess the impact of these enhancements, ensuring positive outcomes for visa application inclusivity and increased engagement.

3. Based on the 8% increase in Approval Rating in March 2014, the project proposes using advanced mobile technology to improve the visa processing system. Invest in automation and mobile solutions for faster processing and reduced errors. Replace paper visa applications with mobile applications for convenience. Enhance the mobile review process, measured through approval rates and processing time. The integration of advanced technology ensures positive outcomes, creating an efficient and accessible visa processing system, benefiting all stakeholders

4. To address the significant 36% decrease in the approval rating for IT applications by the US Economic Sector in 2014, efficient technology integration is essential. Implement an advanced evaluation system leveraging automation and data analytics to assess IT applications. Utilize technology-driven tools to improve evaluation accuracy and consistency, reducing processing times. Embracing technology aims to improve the approval rating and enhance stakeholder satisfaction. Measuring evaluation time, accuracy rates, and stakeholder feedback will assess the impact of these enhancements, ensuring positive outcomes for the IT application approval process.

In conclusion, adopting AI-driven technology in the visa processing system promises a brighter future with enhanced efficiency and user satisfaction. Implementing advanced automation, mobile solutions for faster visa processing, and targeted outreach will create a transparent, accessible application process, fostering a more fair and inclusive visa application experience for generations to come, benefiting all stakeholders involved.

Deployment