Changes to the United States Embassy's visa operations
take effect on Monday.
The Embassy says the changes will make the application process easier for Jamaicans seeking non-immigrant visas.
Effective Monday, the National Commercial Bank (NCB) will become the sole collection agency for the US$131 application fee.
The bank will also be responsible for collecting a new fee of US$13 for applicants to speak with a representative at a call centre to be operated by the Consulate's US based partner, Computer Sciences Corporation.
Each caller will have eight minutes to glean information and schedule appointments through the operators.
A self serve web-site will also be launched this week, which will allow applicants to make their own appointments.
A fee of US$10 will give them unlimited access to information until the appointment date.
The fees can be paid at any of NCB's 47 branches across the island or via credit card.
The embassy has also established a desk inside the consular for its new courier service provider DHL, so customers can schedule delivery of their passports.
DHL's passport delivery service will cost US$8.50.
Only one fee will be charged per family of up to five persons.
Previous payments still valid
Consul General Edward Wehrli says the new system will guarantee that applicants get a date for interviews and will also allow cancellations and changes up to two business days before a scheduled appointment.
Mr. Wehrli also stated that the change from Paymaster to NCB as the sole collections agency for visa fees will be a seamless one and that persons who have already paid fees will not experience any difficulties.
"If people have paid fees to Paymaster, those fees are legitimately paid ... there has been some concern about the legitimacy of the visa fee receipts but that is valid for one year, from the time the fees was paid, so if you haven't used that receipt yet, it is absolutely valid ... second, if anyone has paid a fee to the current service provider, Air-Pak, those fees will result in services still being performed so there won't being anything dropped," he said.
According to Mr. Wehrli, the embassy is transferring all the dates that have already been booked to the new system.
The Embassy says the changes will make the application process easier for Jamaicans seeking non-immigrant visas.
Effective Monday, the National Commercial Bank (NCB) will become the sole collection agency for the US$131 application fee.
The bank will also be responsible for collecting a new fee of US$13 for applicants to speak with a representative at a call centre to be operated by the Consulate's US based partner, Computer Sciences Corporation.
Each caller will have eight minutes to glean information and schedule appointments through the operators.
A self serve web-site will also be launched this week, which will allow applicants to make their own appointments.
A fee of US$10 will give them unlimited access to information until the appointment date.
The fees can be paid at any of NCB's 47 branches across the island or via credit card.
The embassy has also established a desk inside the consular for its new courier service provider DHL, so customers can schedule delivery of their passports.
DHL's passport delivery service will cost US$8.50.
Only one fee will be charged per family of up to five persons.
Previous payments still valid
Consul General Edward Wehrli says the new system will guarantee that applicants get a date for interviews and will also allow cancellations and changes up to two business days before a scheduled appointment.
Mr. Wehrli also stated that the change from Paymaster to NCB as the sole collections agency for visa fees will be a seamless one and that persons who have already paid fees will not experience any difficulties.
"If people have paid fees to Paymaster, those fees are legitimately paid ... there has been some concern about the legitimacy of the visa fee receipts but that is valid for one year, from the time the fees was paid, so if you haven't used that receipt yet, it is absolutely valid ... second, if anyone has paid a fee to the current service provider, Air-Pak, those fees will result in services still being performed so there won't being anything dropped," he said.
According to Mr. Wehrli, the embassy is transferring all the dates that have already been booked to the new system.
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