Some Croatian citizens will no longer have to go to an interview with a consul.
American Embassy in Zagreb announced on Tuesday that it had simplified the procedure for applying for a US visa by expanding the programme which enables applicants to receive a visa without interview with a consul, reports Novi List on May 17, 2016.
The US Embassy said that the new programme covers persons younger than 14 and older than 79 years for all categories of visas, as well as people who are renewing their visas which are valid or have expired within the last 12-48 months for business and tourist visas, transit visas, journalist visas, student visas, and visas of dependents of primary applicants.
Americans note that, with the reduction in the number of applicants who will come to talk with a consul, even those who do not qualify for this programme will have the opportunity of faster processing of applications during their interview with a consul.
However, the US Embassy notes that not all applications will be accepted for streamlined processing; notwithstanding the new programme, consular officers may require an interview with any visa applicant in any category.
Croatia is a valued ally and partner of the United States, and travel between the two nations provides important economic and cultural benefits to both countries. The majority of visa applications submitted by Croatians are approved, and the U.S. Embassy will continue to encourage tourism and business travel between the countries.
