The United States has announced changes for non-immigrants applying for Visa renewals.
According to a statement issued by the US embassy on September 16, Kenyans applying for a tourist, business, student, or crew visa renewal will not be subjected to interviews.
The embassy stated that the move was made to address the backlog among Kenyans who had expressed concern about the delays.
“As part of Ambassador Meg Whitman’s pledge to reduce the nonimmigrant visa interview appointment backlog, the United States Embassy in Nairobi announced today that it has expanded the Interview Waiver Program for nonimmigrant visas.
“Effective immediately, those applying for tourist/business (B1/B2), student (F, J, M), or crew visas (C1/D) categories may be eligible for a visa renewal without an interview,” part of the statement read.Â
An applicant must be applying for the same visa category in order to be eligible for this program.
“Your visa cannot have expired more than four years ago. Â Formerly, the limit was one year,” the US Embassy added.Â
This is part of Whitman’s promise to reduce the backlog of nonimmigrant visa interview appointments.
Most citizens or nationals of participating countries can travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without a visa under the program.
Prior to travel, travelers must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorisation approval and meet all of the requirements.
