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The U.S. Department of State has implemented this new procedure worldwide to improve work efficiency and customer service. Currently, more than half of Ukrainians who need a visa to the United States – business executives, seamen, and those renewing their visas – are already using the electronic visa application form. After completing the form, it should be printed, and the applicant's data is placed in a barcode. During the interview, the barcode is scanned, and the information is automatically entered into the consular computer system. Since the information does not need to be entered manually, it saves time for both the applicant and the consular officer. As noted in the press release, using the electronic visa application form does not entail additional financial costs for the applicant.
To fill out this form and include the assigned EVAF number in the electronic request for scheduling an interview, you need Internet access. Instructions for filling out the form, as well as the form itself, are available on the website http://evisaforms.state.gov. Additional auxiliary tools and information aids to help Ukrainian applicants fill out the form are on the embassy's website http://kiev.usembassy.gov/visa_evafhelp_ukr.html.
U.S. visa applicants who do not have Internet access can contact the consular section to find out the location of the nearest public Internet center, which is sponsored by the U.S. government and is free. The addresses of these centers can also be found on the embassy's website.
For additional information, contact the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv at (044) 490-44-22.
The number of Ukrainians wishing to visit the United States increases every year. According to the vice-consul, just last year more than 33,000 Ukrainian citizens applied for nonimmigrant visas to visit relatives, travel to America, or for business purposes. This year, about 40,000 applications are expected. Most often, the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine issues tourist and business visas, as well as visas for students and seamen.