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By Kirubel Tadesse - Capital
19 November, 2007
The U.S Embassy has announced that all non- immigrant visa applications for tourist, student and others can only be made through the internet starting from Thursday November 15, 2007. At a press conference on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at the US Embassy, Heather Guimond, Deputy Consular Chief, explained that the new procedures include an internet based electronic visa application form (EVAF) and a new internet based visa appointment system. Heather added that EVAF will make the non-immigrant visa application process easier and more efficient.
“As of November 15, in order to apply for non-immigrant visa,” explained Chuka Asike, Vice Consul, “one must complete the internet based EVAF, in English.” He added that the EVAF process produces a three page printed form that incorporates the applicant’s biographical data into an electronic barcode system. After an applicant goes online, fills out the on-line form (DS-156: non-immigrant visa application) and makes an appointment on-line, he or she has to go to the Bank of Abyssinia to pay the application fee and submit the forms. The three-page EVAF form with attached photo, the completed DS-157 (for males between 16-45) and DS-158 (for student and exchange visitor applicants), passport valid for at least six months and the appointment confirmation sheet must be submitted to the bank with a non-refundable 100 USD, the embassy explained. Necessary corrections shall be requested by the bank of Abyssinia which is currently giving the service at Ourael, Arada, and Raguel branches.
Capital asked whether the embassy is planning to make the form and the interface
of the application in Amharic as seen localized in some countries. Heather
Guimond replied that such measures can only be taken by the Department of
State. She explained that issues which can be raised in relation with the
inaccessibility of internet access, computer illiteracy and language barriers
won’t affect significantly Ethiopian applicants’ since the number of applicants
for Diversity Visa didn’t decline when it fully went online.
“The US Department of State has already established this requirement worldwide
in September 2003 to improve the efficiency and customer service and it became
mandatory one year ago,” explains the embassy Public Affairs Section.
The EVAF is believed to provide increased uniformity, accuracy and security in processing visa applications. The EVAF application is available on the internet at: www.evisaforms.state.gov.