ACS
This document is issued by ACS to record the birth of a U.S. citizen born abroad.
Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)
This form must be completed and submitted by all NIV applicants as part of the formal visa application process.
Form DS-160
OCIs were formerly known by this title before being redesignated as Overseas Criminal Investigators.
Assistant Regional Security Officer-Investigator (ARSO-I)
This unit within the consular section is primarily responsible for detecting and preventing fraud in consular processes.
Fraud Prevention Unit (FPU)
This type of ACS service assists U.S. citizens under unusual or distressing circumstances, such as arrests, deaths, or kidnappings.
Special Consular Services (SCS)
Under standard NIV interview requirements, applicants within this age range must appear in person for an interview.
14 to 79 years of age
OCIs report directly to this official at post.
Regional Security Officer (RSO)
When fraud concerns arise during visa adjudication, cases must be referred to the FPU using this system
Enterprise Case Assessment Service (ECAS)
ACS units take the lead in this critical consular responsibility, which involves preparing for and responding to natural disasters, civil unrest, and other emergencies abroad
Crisis Preparedness and Response
Without approval from CA/EX, posts may not schedule more than this many visa interviews per consular adjudicator per day.
120 interviews per day
OCIs inform DS/INV/OCI of their investigative activities through reports of investigation, regular monthly status reports, and these periodic activity reports.
OCI Activity Reports (OARs), now, MyDSIR reports.
When criminal fraud is suspected, consular staff must refer the case to this office rather than conducting their own criminal investigation.
RSO or OCI
This Vienna Convention article establishes the legal basis for consular protection of a sending state's nationals abroad
Article 5 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations
Under INA 101(a)(15), all visa applicants are presumed to be this until they demonstrate otherwise to a consular officer.
Immigrants (i.e., presumed immigrant)
This DS division manages the global network of OCIUs, coordinates complex investigations, and provides policy, investigative, and budgetary guidance to OCIU personnel.
Overseas Criminal Investigations Division (DS/INV/OCI)
This tool is used by consular officers to document fraud indicators, research, observations, and notes when referring a case to the FPU.
National Fraud Checklist (NFC)