U.S. embassy gets new visa system

JAKARTA (JP): The United States Embassy in Jakarta is promising a new user-friendly system for scheduling nonimmigrant visa appointments beginning on Monday.

"We are establishing this appointment system to make the visa application process as efficient and user-friendly as possible for the Indonesian community," a statement from the embassy said.

The system will enable applicants for nonimmigrant visas, including tourist, business and student visas, to schedule an interview for a specific date and time by calling the embassy's appointment line at 3435-9888 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Appointments can also be scheduled through e-mail at jakvisa@state.gov.

Anyone wishing to renew their U.S. visas may drop off their completed applications, processing fees and valid passports at the embassy's cashiers between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. on weekdays. The current visa processing fee is US$45 or its rupiah equivalent.

Visa application procedures at the U.S. Consulate in Surabaya will remain unchanged.