On Monday afternoons, beginning April 28, the United States Embassy will resume walk-in visa reissuance for persons already holding a B1/B2 multiple-entry visitor's visa. No appointments will be needed for this service.In a release yesterday, the embassy said to qualify for walk-in visa reissuance, the applicant's current multiple-entry visa must have been initially valid for five years or more, and it must be expiring within the next 12 months, or have expired within the past 12 months. Walk-in visa reissuance will also be available to current holders of multiple entry B1/B2 visitor's visas who have obtained a new passport and want their current visa reissued in their new passport.
Applicants must be resident in Jamaica to use walk-in visa reissuance. They must pay the US$131 (J$9,301) application fee and assemble their documents following instructions on the Embassy's website at: kingston.usembassy.gov.
Walk with passport
The embassy said applicants must bring their most recent passport showing the expiring/expired visa and all travel to the United States. Those without the required $131 fee receipt, photos and all other required documents will not be admitted.
Applicants who use walk-in visa reissuance will have their passports returned through Airpak, the embassy's delivery contractor (no exceptions), within nine to 10 business days.
During the renewal process, visa holders will submit their applications and have fingerprints taken. They will leave their passports at the embassy for processing and will proceed to Airpak to make arrangements for delivery. Should there be any issues regarding the application, the applicant will be asked to come in for an interview with a consular officer.
Those who have previously scheduled a regular appointment should bring their appointment confirmation so that the scheduled appointment can be cancelled and reallocated.
Embassy visa information
The first 450 applicants in line every Monday (except holidays) between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. will be admitted.
Those not admitted may return on another Monday afternoon.
Applicants should arrive at the Embassy no sooner than 11:00 a.m. on any Monday (except embassy holidays).
No applicants will be admitted after 1:30 p.m.
Walk-in reissuance on Monday afternoons is only for B1/B2 visitors' visas; all other visa application appointments will be held as scheduled.
Applicants under the age of 14 or 80 and older are not required to appear in person for visa reissuance.
All children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, who must submit an original copy of the child's new-style birth certificate or adoption order, on security paper from the Registrar General's Department in addition to their own passport.
Legal guardians must also submit original, official court documentation that they have been appointed guardian of the minor.
As a security measure, cellphones, cameras, beepers and all other electronic items are not allowed onto the embassy compound and must be left outside.
