According to a press release sent to The Guardian by the US Embassy, August is one of the busiest months of the year for visa applications.
Officials are asking people who do not require a visa for travel in August to defer their application until September, as they are able to travel to the US without a visa if they have a valid passport and police record.
However, the Embassy noted that there is a two-week wait time for visa interview appointments and priority is given to applicants applying for student visas.
Embassy officials are encouraging applicants to fill out their application forms on line at: http://evisaforms.state.gov/ . The report stated that forms filled out online are processed quicker the report stated.
The US Embassy also noted additional important facts, which include:
*Photos must be two inches by two inches; there are no exceptions.
*Photos must have a light-coloured background (no exceptions).
*Photos must not be older than six months.
*If your photo does not meet these guidelines, you will be asked to get a new one.
*Do not wait till the last minute to apply for your visa.
* Emergency appointments are limited to real emergencies. Unfortunately, tourism/vacation is not an emergency.
Important Internet websites include:
*The US Embassy Website is located at: http://nassau.usembassy.gov/
*To schedule a Visa Interview Appointment check out this website:
http://www.usvisascratchcards.info/
*For further information on travel to the US please consult http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html
By: LaShonne Outten, The Nassau Guardian
