US promises to speed up spousal visa applications for Kenyans
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US Ambassador Meg Whitman promises time reduction for Kenyans facing prolonged wait times for spousal visa application
US Ambassador Meg Whitman promises time reduction for Kenyans facing prolonged wait times for spousal visa application.
Speaking during an interview on Spice FM on Wednesday, May 15, Meg Whitman, provided reassurance to Kenyans facing prolonged wait times for spousal visas, affirming that the U.S. government is actively addressing the delays.
Whitman expressed confidence that the government is in the process of streamlining the application process to facilitate easier access, with anticipated improvements by the end of the year.
Acknowledging the frustrations experienced by visa applicants, the US Ambassador stated, “There are good resolutions coming up by the end of the year.”
She attributed the challenges primarily to processing delays, clarifying that it’s not reflective of the applicants themselves, but rather a consequence of ongoing staffing shortages across consular offices worldwide, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
At present, the waiting period for CR1 visas stands at 13.5–15 months for spouses of U.S. citizens and 29–40 months for spouses of green card holders. In April this year, it emerged Kenya ranks third on US visa denials.
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Whitman affirmed her commitment to spearheading efforts to reduce these extensive wait times, acknowledging the hardship endured by separated families. “We have made good progress on it but not enough,” she remarked, urging patience as the U.S. Embassy in Kenya works to streamline the process.
Addressing concerns regarding visa fees, Whitman defended the cost, citing the necessity of a rigorous verification process.
She emphasized the imperative of stringent security measures, stating, “And you are very aware of the cost of being wrong like letting in the 9-11 hijackers.”
Ambassador Whitman affirmed ongoing efforts to reduce wait times for all visa categories, noting progress made while acknowledging the distance yet to go. “I think we are making good progress. Is it where we want to be, no, but we are making good progress,” she stated.
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