U.S. Embassies Will Conduct Fewer Visa Interviews

The US State Department intends to reduce the number of mandatory interviews at embassies when issuing US visas.

On Wednesday morning, the U.S. administration recommended that all concerned departments and agencies of the country improve the efficiency of work in order to increase the flow of tourists to the country.

President Barack Obama has asked us to interview 80 percent of people applying for U.S. visas. The visa application period should not exceed three weeks. We now interview 88% of visa applicants globally on average, up from 57% in 2011, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said.

On September 9, the Russian-American agreement on visa facilitation came into force. Now Russians and Americans will be able to obtain multiple-entry visas for tourist and business trips for a period of three years. At the same time, visas will provide for the possibility of staying in the country for up to six months from the date of each entry. In addition, for Russians, the cost of such visas is reduced: $180 ($160 consular fee plus $20 visa processing fee). Previously, a two-year visa cost $260. When applying for a visa for a business or tourist trip, there will be no need to provide an official invitation, although US applicants wishing to obtain tourist visas to Russia will still be required to confirm their hotel reservation and arrangements with the tour operator. Visas will be issued to Russians, as a rule, within 15 calendar days from the date of submission of documents, although in some cases the processing time of applications may be increased.

Source: RIA Novosti