Edward Wehrli, Consul General at the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica. - Photo by Noel Thompson

Noel Thompson, Freelance Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Jamaica has recorded the highest number of non-immigrant visa issued per capita worldwide, according to statistics released by the United States Embassy.

Consul General at the embassy, Edward Wehrli, disclosed that 96,000 applications were received between October 1, 2005 and September 30, 2006, and of that amount, 65,000 were approved.

"Between October 1 last year and February 2007, there was a 23 per cent increase in applications," he said during a meeting with journalists at the U.S. Consulate Office in Montego Bay, St. James, last Friday.

Mr. Wehrli is also urging persons with appointments that, in order to avoid congestion and long waits, they should arrive at the embassy 15 minutes early.

"We try to ensure that once you get inside the building, you are out within 90 minutes. Our new state-of-the-art (facility), which costs US$72 million, is much more functional for people to be processed," the Consul General explained.

Abusing privileges

He warned holders of non-immigrant visas to desist from abusing their privilege by staying for long periods when traveling to the U.S.

Such practices, he said, could impact negatively when it comes around for visa renewal, as people's travel history are normally taken into consideration.

"When we issue a visa, we expect that the person will use it for the intended purpose. People have not run off, but have continuously spent between three to five months abroad. These are working age people, with responsibility. It is interpreted that they must have been working," Mr. Wehrli commented.

Speaking on the matter of persons desiring to study in the U.S., he noted that student visas could only be issued in Jamaica, irrespective if the applicant already holds a visitor's B1/B2 visa.

Said Mr. Wehrli: "Due to the close proximity of the U.S. to Jamaica we do not issue or allow the renewal of student visas in the States."