"The advantages of such a system are significant," said the US Embassy's Consul General, Mary Kay Carlson. "Applicants will have the opportunity not only to receive an interview date faster—the reliability and efficiency of electronic systems guarantee timely notification of applicants about their scheduled interviews."
During the past year, 70% of all interview scheduling requests received by the consular section were sent by email or online. "The use of electronic communications reduces the time needed to respond to requests and improves the quality and efficiency of our services," the Consul General noted. "Email has become widespread, and many people use it effectively. We also need to make changes to our systems and make the advantages of modern information technology useful for our applicants."
The new system will make it possible to avoid delays inherent in regular mail and will allow applicants to schedule visa interviews for a date and time convenient for them. Using the regular mail system, the consular section had to schedule visa interviews no earlier than three weeks in advance. Such a period was necessary for the applicant to receive the letter notifying them of the interview date and have enough time to plan their trip to the consular section. Now applicants will have a better chance of choosing exactly the date that suits them from among the available open slots.
To schedule an interview date for a nonimmigrant visa, applicants or persons acting on their behalf must fill out an online electronic request form, located at the Internet address usembassy.kіev.ua, or send a message by email: appoіntkі[email protected]
Relatives or friends may submit a request to schedule an interview on behalf of an applicant. The interview will be scheduled for the first available date or, at the applicant's request, for any other available date. A message about the scheduled date and time will be sent within two business days. Since the number of visa interviews per day is limited, the consular section will not always be able to provide the date and time requested by the applicant, especially during busy seasons. In such cases, the consular section will contact the applicant and determine a convenient date and time.
In Ukraine, Internet access is available in Internet cafes, libraries, post offices, and many other places. The Press, Education, and Culture Department of the US Embassy has opened 71 Internet centers in public libraries across Ukraine as part of the project "Internet for Public Library Readers." These centers are funded by the US government and provide free Internet access (a list of centers can be found on the embassy's website).
The Internet Access and Training Program (IATP), also funded by the US government, supports 25 free Internet access centers throughout Ukraine. The locations of these centers can be found on the website іatp.org.ua.
Visa interviews at the consular section of the US Embassy are held Monday through Thursday from 8:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The consular section is closed on Ukrainian and American holidays, as well as on the last working day of each month.
This interview scheduling system applies only to nonimmigrant visas. To obtain an interview date or information regarding fiancée immigrant visas, spouse visas, or other types of immigrant visas, contact the US Embassy's Immigrant Visa Section. Detailed information is available on the embassy's website usembassy.kіev.ua