The United States Embassy in Nairobi has announced Visa application changes days after Kenyans took to social media to protest.
The US Embassy in Nairobi now says that Visa applicants will now be able to clearly see the type of fees that are non-refundable and those that are refundable before they make their application.
The Embassy further says that it has instituted a visa renewal process that does not require an in-person interview for certain categories of applicants.
For instance, Kenyans renewing visitor (B1/B2 Visa category) or student visas (F Visa category) whose visas expired less than one year ago may be eligible to renew their Visas without an interview.
Additionally, the US Embassy has introduced expedited appointments for emergency situations. These include but are not limited to the death of an immediate family member, the need to travel for urgent medical care, and for students whose program starts in less than 30 days and who will suffer irreparable harm, such as the loss of a scholarship, if they cannot travel.
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“U.S. Embassy Nairobi recognizes the significant challenges and frustrations this poses for Kenyans planning to visit the United States for business and tourism. Since resuming operations, U.S. Embassy Nairobi has doubled the number of daily interviews and will continue to add additional staff and increase capacity over time,” the US Embassy said in a statement.
Kenyans had taken to social media to protest what they termed as deliberate delays in issuing Visas by the Embassy. This was after Kenyan doctor Amakove Wala shared how her daughter had been frustrated by the Embassy.
According to Amakove, her daughter was scheduled to travel to US in November 2022 to take part in the finals of a competition she had qualified for. However, the only interview appointment date the US was willing to give was in year 2024. This was despite taking non-refundable fee payment.
