The COVID-19 pandemic, to the U. S. Embassy in Nairobi, has generated a backlog that has delayed the processing of VISA applications.
The embassy said this is a global one that is being resolved.
In a July 25 statement, the embassy explained that June 2024 is the first date to be had for a guest visa appointment.
“As we review the backlog of programs and respond to the increased demand for services, we recognize that some applicants will possibly face extended wait times for visa interviews. This is a global problem,” the embassy said.
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He noted that as a result, the Embassy increased the number of staff and doubled the number of daily interviews for visa programs to handle the increased demand.
“This has forced the embassy to make some adjustments to the visa application process, as existing wait times for visa interviews will now be reflected on its updated page with a focus on non-refundable fees to allow applicants to make informed decisions earlier. submitting their applications,” he added.
The embassy added that other people renewing tourist (B1/B2) and student (category F) visas whose expiration date is less than one year can now do so at the consulate without having to present themselves as users for an interview.
He said he would deal with urgent cases, adding those related to student visas and urgent medical care.
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“We will be offering expedited appointments for emergency situations, adding the death of a member of the immediate circle, the need for urgent medical care and for fellows whose program begins in less than 30 days and who will suffer irreparable damage, such as the loss of a scholarship, if they cannot Array
However, the consulate assured Kenyans that it would act as temporarily as possible to shorten the waiting time for visa interviews.
The embassy’s reaction comes after a Kenyan complained in an open letter to Margaret Whitman, the U. S. ambassador to Kenya, about the embassy’s excessively long time to review visa applications.
Elizabeth Wala also expressed her deep fear over the huge sums of cash collected as visa application fees being lost through rejected visa applicants or successful applicants using visas granted long after they have passed their stated purpose of Travel to the united states.
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He gave the example of a case in which one of his young men had to travel to the United States for a school competition.
Wala cited a case where, after paying the $240 visa application fee, he was scheduled for an interview in 2024, but the boy intended to do so later in November this year.
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