Non-Immigrant Visas

New Visa System Will Improve Process for Applicants

February 6, 2006

The United States Embassy is pleased to announce the adoption of a new system for processing non-immigrant visa applications.  The new system will help potential applicants get the information they need to prepare their application materials and will eliminate the need for applicants to stand in long lines while waiting for their visa interview.
 
All potential non-immigrant visa applicants must first contact the Embassy's Visa Information Service before coming to the Embassy in Nassau.  The service, based on similar models operating today in more than 25 countries across Europe, Latin America and Asia, provides timely and accurate information to the public regarding how to apply for a visa to visit the United States.
 
Callers to the Visa Information Service will be able to speak to operators who can provide information on the visa application process and its requirements.  Callers will also be able to schedule an appointment for their visa interview, working with the operator to find the most convenient time for an appointment.  

Said Ambassador Rood, "This new system will give applicants a guaranteed date and time for a visa interview.  The certainty of having a confirmed appointment will help everyone, but it will be particularly useful for applicants from the Family Islands and the Turks and Caicos.  Right now they must travel to Nassau without knowing exactly when they'll be able to get in.  That won't be the case anymore."
 
Ambassador Rood added, "Since our workflow will be spread more evenly through the day and applicants will know exactly what documents they need to bring, we expect we'll be able to get people in and out in under one hour.  That's a better system for us and for the traveling public." 
 
Callers to the Visa Information Service will need to obtain a Personal Identification Number (PIN) before placing their calls.  Applicants can purchase a PIN at a local distribution center, where they will also receive instructions on how to place a call to the Visa Information Service.  A list of PIN distribution centers is available at www.usvisascratchcards.info.

Visa Information Service Retail Locations

PIN scratch cards may only be purchased from an Authorized Retailer.  The list below is preliminary and subject to change.
 
Abaco

B.H.C. Center & Travel Services            

Tel: (242) 557-7237

Ferry Snack Bar

Crossing Dock

Marsh Harbour

Tel: (242) 367-3147

Email: d_maycock@hotmail.com

Berry Islands

Cat Island Air Depots

Cat Island

Cat Island Air Depots

ELEUTHERA

B.H.C. Center & Travel Services

Tel: (242) 554-7237

Tarpum Bay Shopping Center

Queen's Hwy

Tarpum Bay

Tel: 334-4022

GRAND BAHAMA

 

East Mall Service Station                                   

Settler’s Way & East Mall 

Freeport/West Atlantic Drive

Tel: 352-5301   

JTR Group

Nyo's Grace center, Suite &B                                                

Freeport

Tel: 351-4564                                                                             

 

Motel Eight Mile Rock                                          

Eight Mile Rock

Tel:348-8888                                                            

Optique Shoppe

#7 Regent Center

Explorers Way

Freeport

Tel:352-9073                                                                       

Sunrise Service Station

East Atlantic & East Sunrise Hwy

Freeport

Tel: 351-7703

 

NEW PROVIDENCE

B.H.C. Center & Travel Services                                

East St. & Sunlight Village                                    

Nassau

Tel: 356-5617

Email: mmrbhc@hotmail.com  

Cat Island Air

International Airport

Nassau

Tel: 377-3318/3796

Email: catislandair@batelnet.bs

 

Delivery News Service                                   

Marlborough St.                                                      

(British Colonial Hotel)                               

Tel: 322-6492

Optique Shoppe

22 Parliament Street

Nassau

Tel: 325-2386/3282711

Email: optiqueshoppe@bahamaweb.com

 

Platinum Travel                                                

#8 Monfort Street                                                  

Nassau                                                                        

Tel: 356-5395/6                                                

Email: Platinumnassau@yahoo.com 

Shell East Bay

East Bay Street

Nassau

Tel: 322-7269/7301                          

 

Shell Harold Road

Harold Road & M.B. Hwy

Nassau

Tel: 341-7212/7210

Shell Golden Gates                                                  

Blue Hill & Carmichael Rds.                                       

Nassau

Tel: 341-3002/361-3407                                       

 

Shell Lyford Cay                                                     

Lyford Cay                                                                  

Tel: 356-5961/362-4245   

Shell Marathon

Wulff & Marathon Roads

Tel: 393-7720/1012

 

Shell West Bay

West Bay Street

Nassau

Tel: 323-4179

 

RUM CAY

Cat Island Air Depots

GRAND TURK

Dots Enterprises

Grand Turk

PROVIDENCIALES

Western Union

#1 Butterfield Square

Providenciales

Tel: (649) 941-5484