Visa Indefinitely Delayed for German visiting professor, unable to enter U.S.

News from the University of Virginia (and here).  German political scientist Hajo Funke, the Max Kade Distinguished Visiting Professor, is unable to enter the United States to teach at the University of Virginia.  The State Department has yet to issue him a visa.

Funke currently is co-teaching two classes on far-right populism from Berlin via videoconference. Funke’s research focuses on political culture in modern Germany and far-right extremism. He is an active public intellectual, and was awarded the German Federal Cross of Merit for his work.

After receiving an official invitation from the University of Virginia in November, Funke submitted all paperwork in the U.S. Consulate in Berlin. He submitan application for a J-1 Visa, a non-immigrant visa that permits travel for scholars or professors. Funke received further questions from the Consulate that same day, but before he could submit his answers, his passport was returned with a letter stating that his visa would require “further administrative processing” that would take an additional three to six months.

To date, Funke has not received any further information or explanation from either the State Department or the Consulate.

KJ