The United States Department of State has indicated that it will begin processing visas for Cuban nationals at its Georgetown, Guyana, Embassy.
The State Department said on Thursday that, on April 1, 2018, it “will begin transferring current immigrant visa applications and scheduling immigrant visa interviews for Cuban nationals at US Embassy Georgetown, Guyana.
“Guyana will then be the primary site for processing immigrant visa applications for Cubans,” it said. The first interviews will take place in June.
“As we transition immigrant visa operations for Cuban nationals to Guyana, we will continue to communicate with applicants, so they have current information,” the State Department added. “No applicants should make travel plans until they have a scheduled visa interview appointment.”
Since January, the State Department said immigrant visa interview appointments for Cuban nationals have been scheduled at US Embassy Bogota, Colombia.
“This was due to a drawdown in staffing in Cuba to protect the safety of our personnel,” said the State Department without elaborating.
But, in determining an alternative location, now Georgetown, Guyana, the State Department said it considered a number of factors, including availability of flights, visa requirements, space to accommodate additional applicant files and availability of staff.
“Cubans do not need a visa to travel to Guyana,” it said. “As before, Cuban applicants for routine non-immigrant visas may apply at any US embassy or consulate outside Cuba.”
