Prime Minister Mitchell welcomes announcement that Greandians are no longer required to Travel to Barbados for U.S Visa Renewals.
Prime Minister, Dr. the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell has welcomed the announcement that Grenadians are no longer required to travel to Barbados to renew United States visa renewals.
The announcement was made today by US Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Linda Taglialatela at a press briefing, jointly hosted with Prime Minister Mitchell and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honourable Peter David.
The new rule goes into effect on September 10, 2018. It applies only to renewals within the same category of visa and to persons whose visa has not expired for a period longer than 12 months.
Ambassador Taglialatela said the waiver is intended to further enhance relations between Grenada and the United States.
She said, “Under our Caribbean Strategy, 2020, one of the things we want to do is enhance and improve that relationship and to inspire people to continue to travel between our two countries and learn about the cultures and people of those countries.”
Responding to the announcement, Prime Minister said it is exciting news for Grenadians, particularly in the context of the significant expense incurred with travel to Barbados and hotel accommodation when necessary.
“This news has enormous implications for the people of this country.
I know for a fact, many of our citizens in their attempt to get visas to the United States have made enormous sacrifices.
They have to spend quite a bit to go to Barbados and the hassle and the cost of travelling to Barbados have been quite prohibitive,” he stated.
The Prime Minister noted too that the decision to offer the interview waiver must be seen in the context of the strict border control being implemented by many countries.
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“We know the emphasis that countries around the world are placing on protecting their borders and making it more difficult for people to travel.
This initiative is making it easier for Grenadians to travel to the United States, so it is sending a powerful message. It must be, in my view, that we are doing something right and I am extremely happy with this initiative.
Dr. Mitchell expressed the hope that the new interview waiver announced by the United States will influence other countries with whom Grenada shares good relations and which also have visa requirements, to take similar action.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honourable Peter David also expressed the view that other countries will emulate the example set by the United States.
Minister David said the welcome news is “indicative of the deep relationship that exists between Grenada and the United States and it bodes well for the future relationship.”
There are several qualifying factors to determine the eligibility of persons for the newly announced interview waiver.
A press release issued Thursday by the U.S. Embassy in Barbados outlines these as follows:
• Grenada passport holders, except those who are beneficiaries of the citizenship by investment programme, may qualify if their visa expired within the last 12 months and they are applying for the same category of U.S. visa.
• The applicant must be physically present in Grenada or within the consular district of the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados.
• The previous U.S. visa must be in the applicant’s possession and the applicant must have submitted a 10-fingerprint scan in conjunction with the previous via application.
• Students may be eligible if they are applying to continue attendance at the same institution or will continue the same major course of study at a different institution.
• Applicants for renewal of work-related visas may qualify if they are returning to work for the same employer.
