The US Embassy in Georgetown today indicated that it continues to examine ways to creatively reduce the wait times for visa interviews.
The statement came in response to queries from News Source Guyana about the long wait times that continue for visa interviews for non-immigrant visitors visa.
In its response to News Source, the embassy said its consular section carefully monitors the wait times and continues to add appointments as possible.
The embassy noted that earlier this year, the Department of State temporarily authorized consular officers to waive the in-person interviews for certain student visa and exchange visitor applicants.
“Guyanese nationals or residents renewing a visitor (B1/B2) or Transit (C1/D) visa which was previously issued in Guyana, that has expired within the last 48 months, may also be eligible for an “interview waived” appointment, with a shorter wait time”, the statement from the Embassy noted.
Some visa applicants have been given wait times that stretch in some instances for more than a year. Persons applying around this time for their visitor’s visa are being given appointment dates in 2024.
A recent report by Bloomberg News found that the Embassy in Guyana has the longest wait time for a visa interview in the world.
The report raised questions about whether the lengthy wait time has resulted in a drop in visitor arrivals to the US.
Some travel agents are concerned since the visa delay issue appears to be global and comes on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic and the many restrictions that crippled the travel industry.
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