International Student and Scholar Access Act of 2004 - Directs the President to submit to specified congressional committees a strategic plan for enhancing international student access to the United States for study and exchange activities.
Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to provide for reduced fees in cases of short-term study, under the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Directs the Secretaries of State and of Homeland Security to report on improving SEVIS fee collection.
Expresses the sense of Congress on improving the visa process. Directs the Secretary of State to issue certain guidance on visa processing.
Requires the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to ensure that: (1) FBI databases and systems used in the National Name Check Program are interoperable with the requisite databases and systems at the Department of State; (2) FBI files are automated and a common database is set up between FBI field offices and headquarters; and (3) the FBI has full connectivity to the Consular Consolidated Database through the Open Source Information System.
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise standards for visa evaluations for those having the intention, capability, and financial resources to complete a course of study in the United States.