What major changes in the government processing of a visa will affect upcoming applications?
It now appears that the timeliness of hiring on a visa will again be affected by the following, which appears on various websites of the U.S. Diplomatic Missions and became effective on August 1, 2003: • Effective immediately, the procedures for applying for nonimmigrant visas for travel to the U.S. have changed. Most persons between the ages of 16 and 60 who need a visa for travel to the U.S. for tourism, business, study or temporary work, will now require a personal interview with a consular officer at one of the U.S. consulates. This new interview requirement is a global policy change of the U.S. Department of State that affects U.S. visa applicants from all countries around the world. • Travelers seeking to enter the U.S. for certain specific purposes such as study, work or exchange programs or anyone who wishes to stay more than 90 days, should apply for a visa well in advance of their expected date of departure. Also, travelers who have had a criminal conviction, have overstayed
