THE EDITOR, Sir:
OVER THE last year, I have noted with interest the public discourse on visa services provided by the United States Embassy in Jamaica. I find that there are some persistent misconceptions about the visa process that continue to surface. I ask that you share this letter with your readers to clarify the situation.
Perhaps the most persistent misconception is that applicants for non-immigrant visas have to visit the Embassy early in the morning and stand all day in long, slow-moving lines before being interviewed. Thanks to our new, upgraded system, this is no longer the case.
Since the beginning of his tenure in Jamaica, Consul General Donald Wells, at the direction of Ambassador Sue Cobb and with the full support and initiative of all the Jamaican and American employees of the Embassy's Consular Section, has been implementing new procedures to make the visa application procedure more 'user friendly.'
The waiting period for a visitor's visa appointment has dropped from a high of nine weeks to a current waiting period of only two business days. As demonstrated in photographs taken during peak business hours, we have eliminated the long lines that were previously associated with the Embassy. When visa applicants arrive for an appointment, they are seated inside the building ahead of the scheduled interview. In addition, virtually all approved applicants now receive same-day service, and no longer have to make a second trip to the Embassy to collect their visa'ed passport.
I am pleased to enclose a Visa Quick Reference Guide for more details on the application process.
Thank you for your continued interest in US Embassy operations in Jamaica. On behalf of the Embassy community, I extend warmest wishes to all for a happy New Year.
I am etc.,
ORNA T. BLUM (Ms.)
Public Affairs Officer
US Embassy, Kingston
NOTE: Please see page A9 for visa reference guide
