FE Report

US embassy in Dhaka started a visa facilitation programme from Sunday in a bid to exempt certain qualified returning foreign visitors from another interview with a consular officer.

This facilitation programme is designed to significantly reduce waiting times for qualified foreign visitors without compromising security, said an embassy press release.

Under the new initiative, in selected circumstances, qualified foreign visitors who were interviewed and thoroughly screened in conjunction with a prior visa application may be eligible to renew their visas without undergoing another interview.

This facilitation programme permits consular officers to waive interviews for qualified nonimmigrant visa applicants who are renewing their visa within 48 months of the expiration of their previously held visa, and within the same classification as the previous visa.

In Dhaka, tourist (B2) and certain business traveller (B1) visas may be extended without an interview.

US embassy in Dhaka expects that this will benefit applicants, saving their time and money, and encouraging them to choose US for visiting again.

National security remains embassy's highest priority, and this facilitation programme does not entitle or guarantee any applicant to a waiver of an interview.

Consular officers will retain the authority to interview any applicant who they determine requires a fresh interview.