Going home for semester break is something most students take for granted; yet many international students may not be able to return home after finals week this year.

A new name-check process was implemented after the Sept. 11 events, and delays may hamper international students and faculty from returning to Iowa State before spring semester begins.

“Students may expect delays of up to three weeks for new or renewed visas at the consulate,” said Director of International Education Services Dennis Peterson.

People who apply for a new or renewed visa will have their names sent to Washington, D.C. to be checked against various government databases, a process that may take up to 20 days, he said.

The ISU students most affected by this policy are those from Indonesia and Malaysia, but “it is impossible to guarantee anybody they won’t have any trouble,” Peterson said.

It is likely that students from Middle Eastern and some European countries will also experience delays, according to the Web site of the National Association of International Educators, an organization established to advise international students.

NAFSA suggests students call ahead to their consular office before making plans to apply for a visa.

Students traveling with valid visas should not have to go through the name-check process, according to the Web site, www.nafsa.org.

The specifics of the new policy are classified by the Department of State, but NAFSA has compiled a tentative list of countries whose citizens will probably feel the effects of the name-check process. Travel updates are also provided on the site.

Many ISU students are reluctant to leave the country due to advisories issued by ISU International Student Services.

Muhannad Suleiman, graduate student in civil and construction engineering, will not be returning to his home in Jordan over semester break due to the new policy.

“I have been here for two and a half years, and was thinking to go home for this break,” he said. “I can go home maybe in May.”

Thaer Al-Nimer, sophomore in industrial engineering, is a Palestinian whose family is living in Jordan.

“There’s a lot of rumors getting out,” he said, “and I’m debating myself whether I’m going or not.”

For students with questions about the new policy, International Education Services will hold informational meetings at noon today in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union and at 6 p.m. Friday in the Pioneer Room of the Union.

“The reason for the meetings is to make people aware of the problems they may encounter and help them look at their passport,” Peterson said.

“If students have any questions, we look forward to answering.”