Dear Changemakers,

Thank you so much for your support on this petition! Your signing and sharing made our voices strong and we have started to be heard, so please keep signing and sharing!

Yesterday, the US Embassy issued a statement in which they acknowledged the importance of Kenyan visitors to the US and the frustrations Kenyans have been going through while trying to get US visas. They also communicated that they will continue to increase their staff and capacity over time in order to handle the backlog of applications.

They further stated that they have taken the following additional measures to facilitate travel to the United States:

1. Updating the U.S. Embassy webpage (http://ke.usembassy.gov to reflect current visa interview wait times, emphasizing fees are nonrefundable so Kenyans can make informed decisions before submitting their application and paying the associated fees;

2. instituting a visa renewal process that does 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; and 

3. offering expedited appointments for emergency situations, including the death of an immediate family member, the need to travel for urgent medical care, and for students whose program starts in less than 30 days and who will suffer irreparable harm, such as the loss of a scholarship, if they cannot travel.

While the process of paying for a visa before receiving an interview date or getting the visa has not changed substantively, the US Embassy is now more transparent by disclosing this information in a prominent place on their website. This is a step in the right direction, saving Kenyans lots of trouble and money. Thank you again for your support! Please continue signing the petition so that the US Embassy substantively changes its visa application process. It is not necessary to pay way in advance of an interview. Indeed, only successful applicants should pay. A luta continua!

Elsie Oyoo