Q: I recently emailed the US Embassy’s consular section with a question about my visa application and I only received an automated response. Why doesn’t a staff member directly answer my questions?

A: Every day the US Embassy receives an overwhelming number of e-mail about visa application procedures and specific visa cases. Due to this high volume, the Embassy is unable to provide personalised responses to every question. However, many of the questions we receive via e-mail are addressed on the Embassy’s website: kingston.usembassy.gov/visas.html.

The Embassy website offers information about a wide range of topics, such as how to apply for a nonimmigrant or immigrant visa, which categories of individuals are eligible to obtain an immigrant visa, and the types of documentation that should be brought to a visa interview. If you receive a standardised response that answers some of the most frequently asked questions, please review it and the Embassy’s website carefully before sending a follow-up query. If the Consular Section determines that your enquiry requires a personalised response, you will receive same within approximately five business days.

Please also ensure that you direct your questions to the appropriate unit within the Consular Section. For example, if you have a question about obtaining an immigrant visa, please contact the Immigrant Visa Unit, rather than the American Citizen Services Unit or the Nonimmigrant Visa Unit. Contact information can be found on the Embassy’s website.

New contact information

The Consular Section has recently updated its e-mail addresses. E-mail sent to the Consular Section’s old addresses will not be processed as those email inboxes will no longer be monitored. Such messages will receive an automated response with the following information about the new, correct contact information for the Consular Section:

* For general information about the immigrant visa process and questions about specific cases, please write to KingstonIV@state.gov

* To make a follow-up appointment as a “blue sheet” applicant, please write to KingstonIVappointment@state.gov

* For general information about the nonimmigrant visa process and questions about specific cases, please write to KingstonNIV@state.gov

* For an expedited appointment due to a qualifying medical, family or business emergency, please write to KingstonNIVemergency@state.gov

* For additional information about visa appointments and American Citizen Services, please visit the US Embassy Kingston’s website, at kingston.usembassy.gov

For safety and security measures, the US Embassy asks that all individuals arrive at the embassy or consular agency no more than 15 minutes prior to their designated appointment time.

The US Embassy staff in Kingston will answer questions you may have regarding the US Mission, including consular law, regulations and/or practice. In order to respect privacy, staff will not answer questions about specific visa applications.

Send your questions to editorial@jamaicaobserver.com and we will send them to the embassy.