JAMAICANS applying for non-immigrant visas at the United States Embassy, will, as of tomorrow, be required to make appointments for interviews via the Internet, the embassy said yesterday.

At the same time, as of tomorrow the US$100 visa fee or its J$ equivalent must be paid at Paymaster Jamaica Limited, instead of the Bank of Nova Scotia.

Payments made at the Bank of Nova Scotia, up to today, will, however, be valid until one year after the date of payment.

Orna Blum, the embassy's public affairs officer, told the Observer that the embassy was interested in utilising the most advantageous technology available to assist with its visa application process.

"We anticipate that more Jamaicans will be introduced to the Internet by logging on to computers at libraries, Internet cafes, at the office, or even at friends' homes," Blum said.

All visa applicants will be required to have a valid passport and visa payment receipts before they will be able to schedule an interview through the appointment-scheduling site on the Internet, at a website to be announced or the embassy's website -- usembassy.state.gov/kingston.

Blum added that the scheduling of visa interviews through the Internet would allow consular staff and visa applicants maximum planning and flexibility, noting that applicants would now be able to choose their preferred appointment time, rather than having them assigned.

The US Embassy issued 35,902 non-immigrant visas last year.

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