The United States has recently reinstated stricter visa rules which impact residents of the UAE applying for US visas. This change reverts visa procedures to the pre-pandemic system, requiring all applicants to attend in-person interviews. Previously, during the COVID-19 pandemic, some applicants were able to skip interviews through waivers, which expedited the visa process.
The US Embassy in the UAE addressed concerns regarding potential delays, emphasizing that the updated rules are designed to ensure comprehensive background checks and maintain high security standards. They also assured applicants that measures are being taken to handle the increased processing demand efficiently to avoid unnecessary delays.
Key Points for UAE Visa Applicants
- All applicants must attend in-person interviews.
- Waivers for interview exemptions are now issued only in very limited cases.
- Applicants should schedule interviews well in advance.
- Gathering and submitting complete documentation is crucial to prevent delays.
- Regularly monitor the official embassy website for updates and guidelines.
This change has caused concern among frequent travellers from the UAE to the US for purposes such as business, education, and tourism, as the return to mandatory interviews could lengthen the visa application timeline.
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