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The U.S. Interests Section (USINT) Consular Section in Havana was prepared to begin the use of a new system for receiving and processing non-immigrant visa (NIV) applications on January 31, 2000. Despite an earlier verbal understanding between the U.S. Interests Section and the Government of Cuba regarding this new system for receiving and processing non-immigrant visas, the Cuban government at the last minute rescinded its approval. As a result, on January 31 and February 1, the U.S. Interests Section was unable to process non-immigrant visas for Cubans. Non-immigrant visa interviews resumed on February 2, after the U.S. Interests Section and the Cuban Government agreed to a 15-day transition period to the new system. The U.S. Interests Section initiated the new drop box system on February 14. The use of the new drop box system for accepting non-immigrant visa applications at the U.S. Interests Section has been successful thus far. The process went smoothly and extremely quickly. Within 26 minutes of opening, the Interests Section had accepted slightly over 300 passports before closing the drop box for the day. The Interests Section intends to take a limited number of applications on the first few days in order to set up an internal processing system. We believe that this new procedure will enable the Interests Section to provide more efficient and courteous service to NIV applicants. The New Process: Cuban citizens wishing to apply for a non-immigrant visa are instructed to visit the U.S. Interests Section between noon and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday to deposit their valid passport into a drop box. Prospective visa applicants will not need to write or contact the Consular Section in advance, and may approach the drop box by simply showing their valid Cuban passport to the Cuban Guard outside the Interests Section. Once the passports are dropped off, applicants will receive application forms and instructions to return the next working day to pick up their documents and/or be interviewed. When the perspective visa applicants return the following day they should have the non-immigrant visa application form, a $45 non-refundable fee, payable in U.S. currency or the convertible pesos (not Cuban pesos) and any supporting documents. If an applicant is approved for a U.S. visa, an additional $26 fee will be assessed at that time. Each day, the Cuban authorities at the entrance to the Interests Section will have a list of the individuals who deposited their passports in the drop-box the previous day. Only those persons on the list will be allowed to enter the Consular Section at 8:30 a.m. This procedure does not affect USINT's processing of visa applications submitted by Third country nationals resident in Cuba. As before, non-Cubans will only need to show their non-Cuban passport by 8:30 a.m. in order to apply for visas. Third country nationals may opt to use the drop-box if they wish, however. Although this new procedure allows for individuals to apply for visas more easily, this does not mean that the criteria to qualify for a non-immigrant visa are different. [End of Document]
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