US Embassy To Increase Workforce To Speed Up Visa Applications

In Summary: - The consular section of the US embassy witnesses hundreds of Kenyans seeking travel clearance to the United States daily. - The US and Kenya committed to sharing a mutual interest in promoting best practices for the training of diplomats.

Prudence Murithi Prudence Murithi
May 24, 2024 - 18:24 Updated: May 24, 2024 - 19:22
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US Embassy To Increase Workforce To Speed Up Visa Applications
President William Ruto with US President Joe Biden inside the Oval Office of the White House on May 23, 2024. /PCS

The US government on Thursday, May 23 announced the expansion of its staff at the embassy in Nairobi to expedite the processing of visa applications.

This announcement follows President William Ruto's three-day state visit to the United Nations, the first by a sitting Kenyan president in decades.

In a statement, the White House said that one of the agreements reached by the two countries is to enhance consular services to address the backlog of visa applications.

The consular section of the US embassy processes hundreds of Kenyan travel clearances to the United States daily.

An image of a US visa. /FILE

"The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi expanded the number of staff working in the Consular Section to expedite the review and issuance of visas for travel of Kenyan citizens to the United States,'' the White House stated.

The Consular Section issues visas for students, tourists, businesspeople, and workers, and also processes visas to reunite families. 

"At the same time, our Consular Section provides services to American citizens living in or visiting Kenya. These people-to-people links are the bedrock of our bilateral relationship,'' the White House added.

In efforts to increase diplomatic exchanges, the United States Foreign Service Institute and the Kenyan Foreign Service Academy plan consultations to enhance cooperation.

The US and Kenya are committed to sharing mutual interests in promoting best practices for the training of diplomats.

"The United States and Kenya commit to exploring Kenya’s participation in an emerging international community of practice for diplomatic training,'' the White House said.

President William Ruto and US President Joe Biden at the White House on May 23, 2024. /PCS