2006 Press Releases
New Visa System Will Improve Process for Applicants
August 2, 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 http://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
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 - Delivery News Service
Marlborough St.
(British Colonial Hotel)
Tel: 322-6492 - 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