Faster Approvals For U.S. Visa
The U.S. consulate in Costa Rica has "modernized" the application process for those interested in obtaining a visa to the United States, according to Nicholas Manning.

Manning says that the new system will reduce the waiting time to an average 25 days for an applicant to be interviewed, reducing the wait time that was sometimes up to four months.

The time reduction, according to Manning, is due to the opening of an expansion of the U.S. Embassy building in San José that now has up to 18 people handling applications, eight more than in the past.

The new system of handling applicants also makes is more efficient, the electronic numbering system indicates the available window where applicants can be interviewed.

The new facility, which was officially opened last week, includes a photo studio for passport photos in accordance with U.S. requirements, solving a constant problem applicants encountered as some local photo studios did not meet the stringent U.S. requirements.

In addition, at the new facilities, if the applicant is approved for a U.S. Visa, they can immediately go to the DHL counter within the diplomatic centre, where for ¢2.000 colones can have their passport, with the visa, sent to any part of the country.

Manning also added that beginning on March 1, all applications must be made electronically, eliminating the need to hand in a paper form at the interview window.

To get to the electronic form, the applicant has to first visit a branch of the Banco Nacional de Costa Rica and buy a password to be used to make a call to the on the automated telephone system number 0-800-052-1465 that is open from Monday to Friday between 8:00am and 6:00pm.

The card with the password costs us$14 and the interview appointment costs us$100 which must be paid before the interview date and is not refundable is the visa application is not approved.

Other requirements for the interview is that the applicant's passport has at least six months before expiry, have the correct passport photos and show proof of payment of the us$100 application fee at any branch of the Banco de Costa Rica and present the completed DS-156 form.

As of March 1, the application form can only be filled out online by way of the internet.