African news. Kenyans hoping to visit the US will face major visa delays as the US Embassy has suspended appointments for visa interviews until June 2024.
The reason, high demand and COVID-linked backlogs.
Statement by the embassy read: Currently, the first available dates for a visitor visa appointment in Nairobi are in June 2024. U.S. Embassy Nairobi recognises the significant challenges and frustrations this poses for Kenyans planning to visit the United States for business and tourism.
Kenyans took to social media expressing their frustrations complaining that the embassy was being unfair. Many have been forced to cancel plans over delays in processing.
What has the US embassy said about the delays in Kenyan visas?
According to Business Daily, The embassy said that non-immigrant visa interviews at the Nairobi office ceased for over a year due to Covid-19 safety measures.
The embassy said that the issue was a worldwide problem that US embassies are striving to address.
The embassy said they however have the capacity to expedite appointments for emergencies such as the death of an immediate family member and people travelling for urgent medical care.
Students whose programmes start in less than 30 days and are likely to lose their scholarships will also be given priority.
The embassy committed themselves to doubling the number of interviews to clear the current backlog. A new visa renewal process that does not require an in person interview process for certain applicants.
Kenyans renewing visitor (B1/B2 category) or student visas (F category) whose visas expired less than one year ago may be eligible to renew without an interview.
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