Misleading TikTok post claims Kenyans no longer need interview to get US visa
- This article is more than one year old.
- Published on January 30, 2023 at 11:58
- 2 min read
- By Mary KULUNDU, AFP Kenya
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“No more visa interviews for 2023… so keep all the documents ready to submit,” reads an inscription on the TikTok video, which has been shared more than 1,500 times.
In the clip, posted on an account named “Clay Msafari”, a man speaking in Swahili explains what the alleged “new announcement” means to Kenyans heading to the US.
“Have you seen that (referring to the visa announcement)? It says no more visa interviews for travelling to the US. Therefore, you won’t need to go for an interview to travel to the US. This means you should have all your papers in order then you will just have to deliver them and await their decision,” the man says.
The TikTok account features several videos with advice on how to move abroad. However, the claim about the cancellation of US visa interviews is misleading.
Waived only for some
In September 2022, the US embassy in Kenya announced it had expanded its interview waiver programme for nonimmigrant visas to reduce the backlog for those seeking to travel to the United States.
The waiver, which applies only to specific visa categories, allows eligible travellers to renew their visas without an in-person interview.
“We are pleased to announce interview waivers for visa renewals. If your tourist/business, student or crew visa (B1/B2, F1, F2, J1, J2, M1, M2, or C1/D) is still valid or expired less than four years ago, you may be able to renew your visa without an in-person interview,” the statement reads.
Contrary to the TikTok claim, the waiver is not applicable to all visas. Those in the listed categories must determine their eligibility for a waiver by scheduling an appointment with the embassy.
The waiver announcement in Kenya came amid complaints over long wait periods and non-refundable application fees.
US Ambassador to Kenya, Margaret Whitman had promised to improve the situation after taking office in August 2022.
“The visa backlog situation has caused unnecessary hardship and is unacceptable. One of my top goals is to address this problem as quickly as possible,” Whitman tweeted.
The visa backlog situation has caused unnecessary hardship and is unacceptable. One of my top goals is to address this problem as quickly as possible. Strong people-to-people ties are the bedrock of our relationship.
— U.S. Ambassador Meg Whitman (@USAmbKenya) August 7, 2022
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