Question:

I've heard that the US Embassy will begin to use a new appointment system in early March and will stop taking the application payment at TTPost. What's this new system all about and how will it affect people like me who have valid TTPost receipts but haven't yet applied?

David in Carenage

Answer:

Thank you for your question. Beginning on Thursday, March 7, 2013, the US Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago will implement a new procedure to simplify and streamline the visa-application process for those travelling to the US.

Through the new services, applicants will be able to schedule a non-immigrant visa appointment by visiting the website http://trinidadand- tobago.usvisa-info. com or by calling local phone numbers to reach our new call centre.

The implementation of the new procedure does mean that after February 28, 2013, you can no longer pay the visa application fee at TTPost. However, persons with valid TTPost receipts should not fear that the receipts will no longer be valid after that date. These receipts are still valid for one year from the date the fee was paid.

While we strongly urge applicants with valid TTPost receipts to make use of the additional appointments that we have made available over the coming week, we understand that not every individual can do so, given the time frame. Applicants who have already paid the US visa application fee but are unable to apply before March 7 should send an e-mail to ConsularPOS@state.gov to make an appointment after that date.

Visa applicants who plan to apply after March 7 and have not yet paid the application fee, should wait to pay the fee and schedule an appointment after this date through our new system.

We take this opportunity to remind the public that the visa application fee will not increase with the coming changes and will remain US$160, payable in the Trinidad and Tobago dollar equivalent.

Specific details on this new visa application process will be announced on March 6 through our website at http://trinidad.usembassy.gov.

The implementation of this new system is part of our efforts to continually improve services for our visa applicants and is part of a worldwide change in visa services at our embassies and consulates.

We hope this answers your questions.

• Send your questions and comments to: askUSconsultrinidad@state.gov