U.S. visas may take 8 weeks longer

JAKARTA: Due to security concerns, the U.S. government announced on Wednesday that Indonesians might have to wait eight weeks or more before they received a visa as new application procedures will call for tighter scrutiny.

"Our goal is to have assured security within a system that is responsive to anyone wishing to visit the U.S.," the U.S. Embassy said in a statement.

Visa applicants will be subject to "a greater degree of scrutiny," it said, without detailing the new procedure.

"Visa applicants affected by these procedures are informed of the need for additional screening at the time of application and should expect substantial delays of six weeks to eight weeks or longer before a visa can be issued." -- JP