US Visa Interviews; Kenyans To Wait Till June 2024

The United States Embassy in Kenya has suspended appointments for visa interviews until June 2024 citing high demand and COVID-linked backlogs. The Embassy clarified on the situation on visa delays, which have worsened in recent months.

The Embassy came under fire after Kenyans took to social media to express their displeasure with the hustle of getting a travel visa to the United States.

On Monday, the Embassy explained in a statement that efforts to restore normalcy were underway to address delays caused.

“Due to COVID-19 health and safety measures, nonimmigrant visa interviews at the US Embassy in Nairobi ceased for over a year. The Embassy restarted interviews at full capacity in February 2022,” read the statement.

According to the statement, “Due to the backlog, some applicants may face extended visa interview wait times, as “the first available dates for a visitor visa appointment in Nairobi are in June 2024.”

On the question of whether those who fail to get the visa would be refunded, the embassy emphasized that fees would remain to be non-refundable, and that Kenyans ought to make informed decisions before making payments upon submitting applications.

The Embassy also highlighted measures they installed to address the current setback, among them instituting a Visa renewal process that will not require an in-person interview for certain applicants.

“Kenyans renewing visitor (B1/B2 category) or student Visas (F category) whose visas expired less than one year ago may be eligible to renew without an interview,” read the statement.

Expedited appointments will be made for emergency situations such as “the death of an immediate family member, the need to travel for urgent medical care, and students whose program begins in less than 30 days and who will suffer irreparable harm.”

Kenyans on social media have expressed their frustrations in recent days over what they have termed as unfair visa rules. Others have been forced to cancel travel plans over delays in processing the critical document.

Kenyan sprinter Ferdinard Omanyala was the latest publicized case who almost missed out on a spot in the World Athletics Championships due to a visa delay.

Article By Sally Lizwa