2007 Press Releases

U.S. Embassy advises summer travelers to apply for visas early 

May 4, 2007  

The U.S. Embassy would like to notify all potential visa applicants of the importance of applying for a U.S. visitors’ visa well in advance of the dates of intended travel.  Our current waiting period for a visa appointment is just under ten days.  This is likely to grow as the summer rush season approaches.  With early planning, potential visitors to the U.S. can avoid the inconvenience of being unable to secure a visa appointment before their planned travel date.  Future applicants can access our latest waiting time by visiting us at www.travel.state.gov.  Simply click on the “Temporary Visitor U.S.” link then click on the “Visa Wait Times” to get the information.  In addition, visa applications must be fully completed by using the electronic form.  You can also download the forms by visiting us at www.travel.state.gov.

In response to numerous inquiries, we remind current visa holders that a U.S. visa in an expired passport remains valid if accompanied by a current T&T passport.  Simply fasten both passports together. 

The Embassy warns visa applicants that attempts to commit fraud will be referred to the Trinidad and Tobago Fraud Squad, and individuals will be subject to arrest and prosecution.  Attempting to obtain a U.S. visa through fraudulent means – either by submitting false or misleading job letters, bank statements, lying to a Consular officer, misrepresenting facts whether by omission or statement, or obtaining fraudulent re-entry stamps – may prevent you from ever receiving a visa to the United States.  In addition, facilitating the issuance of a visa to another applicant through fraudulent means constitutes alien smuggling and will result in a permanent ineligibility for a U.S. visa.

We would also like to remind everyone that in order to secure the safety of our applicants and to ensure that our security screening procedures do not delay or hinder entrance to the Embassy, no electronic devices, including cell telephones, may be brought into the Embassy. Weapons of any kind, large backpacks, suitcases and glass containers are also not permitted.  Applicants will only be allowed to bring in documents that are relevant to the visa and/or passport application. 

Your cooperation will help ensure everyone’s safety and will assist us with providing better service to our applicants by allowing us to move the flow of people as quickly as possible.