Management/Internal Controls for Visa Units
(CT:VISA-1905; 02-06-2024)
(Office of Origin: CA/VO)
9 FAM 601.3-1 management/Internal controls - overview
(CT:VISA-1905; 02-06-2024)
a. Introduction to Management/Internal Controls: See 7 FAH-1 H-611, Overview; 7 FAH-1 H-622, Definition of Management Controls; and 7 FAH-1 H-641, Objectives and Fundamentals.
b. Special Controls for Visa Operations: See the following for more specific management controls related to visa units:
(1) 7 FAH-1 H-648.1-1 and 9 FAM 307 on Visa Lookout Accountability (VLA) controls;
(2) 7 FAH-1 H-648.1-2 and 9 FAM 601.8 on controls over Nonimmigrant Visa Referral and Priority Appointment Request Programs;
(3) 7 FAH-1 H-648.1-3, Supervisory Review of Issuances and Refusals; and 9 FAM 601.4 on Supervisor and Management Issues;
(4) 7 FAH-1 H-648.1-4, Intake and Screening of Applications;
(5) 7 FAH-1 H-648.1-5, Medical Examinations, 9 FAM 302.2-3(E)(2), Selection of Panel Physicians and 9 FAM 302.2-3(E)(3), Contact with Panel Physicians;
(6) 7 FAH-1 H-650, Standard Operating Procedures for Safeguarding and Accounting Controlled Consular Items at Overseas Posts.
c. Annual Certification: The Bureau of Consular Affairs requires every Foreign Service post to annually certify that its consular operations are in accordance with the Department’s instructions. See 7 FAH-1 H-640, Management Controls for Consular Operations at Overseas Posts, for more information.
9 FAM 601.3-2 responsibility for management/internal controls
9 FAM 601.3-2(A) Management/Internal Controls - Roles
(CT:VISA-1458; 01-24-2022)
a. Maintaining management controls is one of the most crucial responsibilities of every consular officer; implementing effective management controls is a key responsibility of every manager.
b. Managers must set both the standards and the example for carrying out management controls, creating a positive and supportive attitude and environment for management controls and conscientious performance of duties.
c. See 7 FAH-1 H-630, Responsibility for Consular Management Controls at Overseas Posts, for additional information.
9 FAM 601.3-2(B) Management/Internal Controls - Tasks
(CT:VISA-1458; 01-24-2022)
See 7 FAH-1 H-621, Introduction and 7 FAH-1 H-642, Supervision, for information on internal controls roles.
9 FAM 601.3-3 Controlled and accountable items
(CT:VISA-1458; 01-24-2022)
a. Controlled and Accountable Items: Controlled consular items are those with an inherent value or potential for misuse that requires them to be under the control of an American officer and carefully safeguarded. Controlled items include both accountable items and other items which, while controlled, do not require daily accounting of their use or which are not expendable items.
b. Additional Information on Accountable and Controlled Items:
(1) 7 FAH-1 H-652.1, Definition of Controlled and Accountable Items, for a list;
(2) 7 FAH-1 H-659.2, Visa Items, for information on controls for specific items;
(3) 7 FAH-1 H-653, Roles and Responsibility, safeguarding and accounting for controlled consular items;
(4) 7 FAH-1 H-656, Accountability and Reconciliation of Controlled Items, daily procedures;
(5) 7 FAH-1 H-655, Inventories of Controlled Items, for additional details;
(6) 7 FAH-1 H-654, Shipment, Storage and Transfer of Controlled Items;
(7) 7 FAH-1 H-657, Destruction of Controlled Items;
(8) 7 FAH-1 H-658 Record Keeping, related to accountability; and
(9) 7 FAH-1 H-652.2, The Accountable Items (AI) Systems Module, regarding automating record keeping associated with inventory control and daily reconciliation of accountable consular items.
9 FAM 601.3-4 dealing with management/internal control issues
(CT:VISA-1458; 01-24-2022)
See 7 FAH-1 H-656.3 Discrepancies and Incidents, concerning controlled items; and 7 FAH-1 H-657.3, Emergency Destruction of Consular Items, due to a high or critical level of risk of evacuation.