SINGAPORE: America will tighten its guidelines for visa interviews from Sep 2, requiring all non-immigrant visa candidates, together with kids underneath 14 and adults over 79, to attend in-person interviews.
The modifications, introduced on Jul 25 by the US State Division, reverse earlier waivers and sign a shift towards stricter screening for short-term journey and enterprise visas. The replace follows the introduction of a brand new US$250 processing fee for non-immigrant visa purposes earlier the identical week.
On Tuesday (Jul 29), the US Embassy in Singapore posted in regards to the upcoming visa interview modifications on its Fb web page.
However do these new guidelines apply to most Singaporeans? Right here’s what it is advisable to know.
WHAT’S CHANGING ON SEP 2?
Beginning Sep 2, all non-immigrant visa candidates, no matter age, would require an in-person interview. Non-immigrant visas enable international nationals to enter the US for a particular objective, equivalent to tourism, enterprise, research or different short-term stays.
The up to date guidelines additionally tighten eligibility for interview waivers throughout sure visa renewals.
Underneath the up to date pointers, candidates who’re renewing their B-1, B-2 or B1/B2 visas will solely qualify for an interview waiver in the event that they had been at the least 18 years previous on the time their prior visa was issued.
The B-1 visa is for enterprise, the B-2 for tourism, whereas the B1/B2 visa is a single visa that permits for each enterprise and tourism actions.
WILL THIS AFFECT MY HOLIDAY?
In response to CNA’s queries, the US Embassy in Singapore mentioned on Wednesday that Singaporeans travelling underneath the Visa Waiver Program are unaffected by these modifications.
Nevertheless, they have to nonetheless apply for authorisation by way of the Digital System for Journey Authorization (ESTA).
Singapore is a part of the US Visa Waiver Program, which permits residents of sure international locations and territories to journey to the US for tourism or enterprise with no need a visa.
If you don’t want a visa, there isn’t any visa interview to fret about, so the Sep 2 modifications won’t apply to you.
Nevertheless, travellers who’re ineligible for the Visa Waiver Program are required to use for a visa to journey to the US and should attend an interview. That is unrelated to the interview waiver modifications, the embassy added.
