Student visa applications continue: US Embassy
Passenger’s negative result of COVID-19 test required ‘Virtual Education’ launched
KUWAIT CITY, April 6: Head of the visa section at the US Embassy Frank Tu announced that the embassy will continue to receive student visa applications in a limited manner, and that it had resumed receiving applications since August 2020, reports Al-Qabas daily.
In a press statement, he explained that the embassy issued about 2,400 visas, including 1,200 for students, exchange visitors and their families, from the beginning of August 2020 until the end of January 2021.
Kuwaiti students are a top priority for the US embassy. In order to preserve the health safety of the embassy staff and visitors, the number of available appointments daily has been reduced. All employees and visitors are required to wear masks and adhere to health requirements and physical distancing.
Concerning the latest developments regarding visas, Tu said, “The USA has taken innovative measures by exempting Kuwaiti applicants especially students from personal interviews for visa renewal. This applies to the categories of tourist visas, medical and study emergencies, and students of academic programs.
Renewal
We were among the first US embassies in the region to do so. Now, citizens and residents can apply for renewal of a US visa without undergoing an interview if the visa is valid for 48 months or more.”
In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic in Kuwait, we have temporarily suspended routine business and tourism visa services. We are constantly reviewing the situation, and we will resume normal visa operations when local health conditions permit.
Any cancellation of the interview appointment will be sent via mail. Regrettably, cancellation is sometimes necessary to ensure the health safety of staff and visa applicants.
Those whose appointments have been canceled can reschedule by visiting our website - ustraveldocs.com. Temporary suspension of personal interviews of applicants for work or tourist visas can happen. We will continue to receive requests for emergency medical visas for applicants and their companions”.
Regarding PCR certificate, Tu
Khayal Al-Ibrahim, Director of Al-Asmaa Bint Al-Harith Secondary School announced the launch of the activities of the Gulf Education Forum under the title ‘Virtual Education: Introduction to New Education’, reports Al-Seyassah daily.
In a press statement, Al-Ibrahim indicated that the forum aims to identify the reality of the experience in ‘distance education’ in educational institutions and present successful experiences in the fields of virtual education in addition to identifying the latest theoretical and applied developments in this field in light of the Corona pandemic.
She indicated that the activities of the first day of the forum will
said, “As of January 26, the American Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires all passengers aged two years and above who enter the United States (including American citizens and legal permanent residents) to submit a negative result of the COVID-19 test that is taken within three days before departure, or prove recovery from the virus within the last 90 days”.
He explained that airlines are required to confirm a negative test result, or ensure the availability of proof of recent recovery, for all passengers before they board the plane. They should refuse passengers who do not provide the necessary documents proving a negative test result or recovery. Applicants must also include a discussion of the first axis, which is identifying the reality of virtual education in light of the Corona pandemic, while on the second day successful experiences and initiatives for virtual education will be presented, while on the last day the future of virtual education after the Corona pandemic will be discussed in addition to workshops diverse from GCC countries.
Al-Ibrahim hoped that “there will be benefit from all the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council during the forum through which we see how we can pass this period in light of the students unable to attend schools so that each of the participating countries will present their initiatives and experience in education.”
note that presidential declarations are still valid to suspend entry for foreign nationals into the United States if they were physically present in certain countries 14 days prior to arrival to the US.
Tu called on applicants seeking emergency medical visas to attach the necessary documents including medical reports along with their application, adding, “We will do our best to ensure that these travelers receive treatment and any accompanying family members receive their visas in a timely manner regardless of whether there is a priority category or not. We will continue to process and issue renewal requests for all visa categories that do not require a personal interview.”