The COVID-19 pandemic brought with it the delay of several procedures that were usually carried out in a few days or weeks. One of these is the issuance of visas from various countries.
The United States was one of the countries that registered a high demand for applicants, although care was suspended for several months due to the emergency caused by the disease.
Since March 2020, more than 200,000 non-immigrant visas between Quito and Guayaquil, according to information from the page of the United States Embassy in Ecuador. In addition, it was specified that more than 1,000 applications for these visas are awarded daily, although the demand is still extremely high, so the waiting time for an interview can be extended to months.
American visa: who no longer need to go to the interview to process it and travel to the United States
In an emergency situation, an emergency nonimmigrant visa can be obtained, although certain conditions must be met.
The Department of State, -in charge of international relations-, made an update on the timeouts that must be met by a person who must attend the visa appointment. “The estimated wait time to receive an appointment for a nonimmigrant visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate is based on workload and staffing, and may vary from week to week,” it said. specific.
How much does a tourist visa to the United States cost?
In the case of Ecuador, it depends on the city. For example, in Guayaquil, the waiting time for the interview appointment for those who require the B1/B2 visa is 216 days, that is, around seven months; while for interview exemption visitors it is 50 days.
For Quito, on the other hand, the estimated time is 135 days, around 4 and a half months, for visitors with an interview exemption it is one day.
To be eligible for the interview waiver process, you are required to have a B1/B2 visa issued in Ecuador that is current or expired within the last 48 months, be physically present in Ecuador, have fingerprints taken when your last visa was issued that type and that it has not been lost, stolen or revoked. Nor has the latest application of the document been denied. (YO)
Source: Eluniverso
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
