Students travelling to the US will need to apply for their visas at least two months in advance because of new security measures brought into effect after September 11.

US Consul General, Denis Coleman spoke at the Hamilton Rotary Club luncheon yesterday. He said: "Let me assure you that the United States continues to welcome qualified foreign students from Bermuda and elsewhere."

He said the US had initiated new procedures for security which impacted all travellers.

With the new procedures, people applying for visas will have to wait longer than on previous occasions.

Students and exchange visitor visa applicants are subject to the existing and new special clearance procedures that apply to most categories of non-immigrant visas.

All students and other travellers seeking visas should expect increased processing times and therefore should begin procedures at least two months in advance of travel.

Mr. Coleman observed that in six weeks it will be the first anniversary of September 11.

He said: "The United States, despite its intelligence gathering, was na?ve in the expectation that it couldn't happen to us."

Mr. Coleman spoke about the nineteen hijackers that caused the events of September 11 and said that they were all allowed into America on legally issued visas and proceeded on to their deadly mission undeterred by US laws.