Relief as US Embassy in Kenya announces interview waiver for non-immigrant visas

According to the US Embassy in Nairobi, those applying for visas in the said categories may be eligible for a visa renewal without an interview.

"Effective immediately, those applying for tourist/business (B1/B2), student (F, J, M), or crew visas (C1/D) categories may be eligible for a visa renewal without an interview," reads part of the statement.

In order to qualify, one must be applying for the same visa category, and the visa should not have expired more than four years before the application.  Initially, the limit was capped at one year.  

The expanded Interview Waiver Program for non-immigrant visas follows a pledge by US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman to reduce the backlog of non-immigrant visa interview appointments.