US Embassy promises quick processing of visas for farm workers

A senior official of the United States Embassy in Kingston has sought to assure that adequate measures are in place to efficiently process visas for Jamaicans selected for the farmer work programme in the US.

Deputy Consul General, Katherine Farrell, says the H2A visa for temporary agricultural workers can be done within two days.

There have been concerns about delays in Jamaicans obtaining the visa.

The visa requirement was introduced in February.

However, Farrell says applicants should not worry as the US Embassy processes applications in a quick manner.

But, she concedes that it takes some time between when a US employer files a petition for agricultural workers and when he is granted approval by the necessary agencies in America.

The Deputy Consul General acknowledges that the Embassy can only go ahead with processing of the visa after the approvals are obtained in the US.

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Farrell was speaking with reporters at the Ministry of Labour following a courtesy call by US Embassy officials on Labour Minister Shahine Robinson.