Kenyans planning to apply for US visas have been advised to adhere to a new directive or risk having their visas denied.
In an official communication, the US Embassy has directed that all Kenyans interested in applying for their visas this December must ensure their DS-160 application number matches the one used to book their appointment.
The DS-160 is a form that must be completed and submitted online prior to an applicant's appointment at the US Embassy, and a printed copy must be brought to the interview.
"Failure to comply will result in being turned away at the US embassy on the day of your appointment," read the directive by the Embassy.
This new requirement will take effect from December 2, 2024. All applicants wishing to have US Visas in December will have to follow a specific order at least 48 hours before the appointment dates.
Applicants will be required to locate their DS-160 confirmation page and then confirm the DS-160 number on their account matches the DS-160 number on the confirmation page.
If the numbers match, the applicant is free to attend the appointment as scheduled.
However, if they don't match, the applicant must visit the Embassy website and follow instructions to complete a new DS-160, print out the confirmation page for their new DS-160 and note their new DS-160 number.
Once one has acquired the new DS-160 number, they should again log into the website and replace the old DS-160 number with the new DS-160 number.
"If you fail to confirm or update your DS-160 number within the required timeframe, you will be turned away at the U.S. Embassy on the day of your appointment and instructed to schedule a new appointment after completing the required steps," the notice warned.
The changes on the US Visa requirements come a month after UK Embassy announced changes for applicants.
UK announced that it had changed the visa printing commercial partner from the current TLScontact to VFS Global.
''Between September 2024 and January 2025, the commercial partner will change from TLScontact to VFS Global in some locations in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia,’’ the UK High Commission shared.
