New visa system at US embassy

The United States Embassy in Port-of- Spain will be implementing a new procedure to simplify and streamline the visa application process for those intending to travel to the US. Though the new services will begin on March 7, applicants will be able to schedule a non-immigrant visa appointment by visiting the Web site http://trinidadandtobago. usvisa-info.com or by calling local phone numbers to reach the embassy’s new call centre, a release from the Embassy’s Public Affairs Section indicated.

The US Embassy strongly advised that all visa applicants who have already paid the US visa application through TTPost to schedule an appointment before March 7. Additional appointments have been made available over the coming week for those who already have a TTPost receipt, the release said. Visa applicants who have already paid the US visa application fee through TTPost but are unable to apply before March 7 are advised that these receipts are still valid one year from the date that the fee was paid.

Such applicants will need to send an e-mail to ConsularPOS@ state.gov to make an appointment at a later date. The visa application fee will not increase with the coming changes and will remain US$160, payable in the TT-dollar equivalent. Specific details on this new visa application process will be announced on March 6 through the embassy’s Web site http://trinidad.usembassy.gov/. The release said the implementation of the new procedures was part of a worldwide system change in visa services at US embassies and consulates.