2005 Press Releases

U.S. Embassy Announces Changes to Non-Immigrant Visa Procedures

February 17, 2005

TheConsular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Port of Spain announces twoimportant changes to procedures regarding visa issuances.

Effective immediately, our personal appearance (drop box) policy has changed as follows:

- All applicants aged 10 – 79 must appear in person for his/her visa appointment.

- All applicants aged 80 and over are exempt from personal appearance.

- Children aged 9 and under are exempt from personal appearance and are eligible to use the drop box if the following requirements are met:

1. The child must not have been refused a visa when he or she last applied
2. both biological parents must possess passports with valid US visas
3. original birth certificate of the child must be presented. If any of these requirements are not met, the parents must appear to apply for the child's visa after following the normal appointment procedures.

Effective February 15, 2005, all applicants for F/M student visas, H1B (work permit) visas, and L (intra-company transfers) must submit electronic application forms. Electronic application forms can be accessed at https://evisaforms.state.gov/ds156.asp. Applicants must fill the form out completely on line at this website and then print out the completed application form. Applicants must bring all printed pages of the application form, including the bar code on page 3, on the interview date. Do not send the application electronically.

We would like to once again urge ALL applicants to fill out the application forms electronically as described above. APPLICANTS WHO FILL OUT THE FORM ELECTRONICALLY WILL RECEIVE PRIORITY PROCESSING AND SHOULD EXPERIENCE A SHORTER WAIT FOR THEIR INTERVIEW. Also, we would like to remind all visa applicants that they should bring to their visa interview only those items relevant to the visa application. Because of security requirements, the line will move more quickly for all concerned if applicants do not bring along valuables, pocketbooks, backpacks, and other items not vital to the visa interview.

Finally, in response to numerous inquiries, unexpired U.S. visas in expired TT passports are still valid for travel up to the expiration date of the visa. Simply attach the old passport with the valid US visa to the new TT passport.