The United States embassy in Nairobi has expanded the interview waiver program for non-immigrant visa.

Ambassador Margaret Whitman attending to a visa applicant. PHOTO/TWITTER

The US embassy announced the expansion of the interview waiver program through a statement issued on Friday.

“As part of Ambassador Whitman’s pledge to reduce the nonimmigrant visa interview appointment backlog, the United States Embassy in Nairobi announced today that it has expanded the Interview Waiver Program for non-immigrant visas,” the statement read.

This was part of Ambassador Margaret Whitman’s pledge to reduce the non-immigrant visa interview appointment backlog.

"Reducing visa wait times is my number one priority. We are all working hard to do this!" Whitman said.

Margaret Whitman. PHOTO/TWITTER

According to the statement, visa applicants for the tour, business, student or crew visas may be renewed without interviews.

“Effective immediately, those applying for tourist/business (B1/B2), student (F, J, M), or crew visas (C1/D) categories may be eligible for a visa renewal without an interview,” the statement read in part.

For one to qualify for this program, they must be applying for the same visa category, and the visa’s expiry cannot be over four years ago. 

Previously, the limit was one year before being extended to the current period.