It’s time for Africans to celebrate! The validity of the visa to the US will be augmented and the announcement was made on Thursday by the officials. By this end September, the student education line and the tourist business will benefit greatly because of the increased visa validity, announced by the US Embassy in Nairobi. This decision is in accordance to a deal, agreed upon by President Barack Obama and President Uhuru Kenyatta.
On July 25th, Obama who was in Nairobi had given the nod to Uhuru, after talks and had agreed to an increase in the visa validity. The announcement made officially from the US Embassy in Nairobi, on Thursday, confirmed that “The United States and the Republic of Kenya are scheduled to jointly increase the validity of short-term business/tourist visas and student visas issued to each other’s citizens on September 22, 2015.”
This announcement agrees to a “multiple-entry visa” go-ahead for the Kenyan visa applicants who meet the requirements for non-immigrant visa, and is anticipated to be a boon for tourist travel and business between the two countries. The students from Kenya who have all the correct visa credentials are entitled for visa validity for 5 years and they will get permission for multiple-entries to the country, till they complete their education program.
According to the statement made by the Embassy,”U.S. citizens eligible for Kenyan short-term business and tourist visas or student visas will be afforded the same benefit. Changes in visa validity will not affect visa eligibility criteria. Visa applicants will be subject to the same standards of eligibility for a U.S. visa as before the change in validity,”
At the State House in Nairobi, during a joint press briefing, President Obama gave the nod for increased visa validity and stated “We will extend student and business visas for up to five years for Kenyans travelling to the United States and for Americans travelling to Kenya. This will make it easier for students to complete their studies and for businesses to make long-term plans.”
Rules confirm that there will be a “reciprocity fee” of about US$40 that is compulsory over and above the normal visa fees . This will be charged after the application for the extended visa is approved by the authorities.
