Bridgewater’s plans for JA

The United States Ambassador-designate to Jamaica has given the assurance that when she assumes duties, she will take steps to address the declining approval rate of visa issuance, to Jamaicans.

Pamela Bridgewater gave this undertaking to Audrey Marks, Jamaica's Ambassador to the US, who raised the concern during a courtesy call at the Jamaican Embassy in Washington DC.

The Ambassador-designate promised to meet with the Consular team at the US Embassy in Kingston at an early stage to see how issues can be addressed to the satisfaction of both countries.

Ambassador Marks highlighted the declining approval rates for the issuance of US visas to Jamaicans as an area which needed continued review.

She mentioned that Trinidad and Tobago, for example, enjoyed a visitor's visa approval rate nearly three times as high as Jamaica's.

Ambassador Marks indicated that she had discussions with officials in the Department of State where she raised the worrying trend of declining approvals.

It was explained that the US looks at a variety of factors, including the economy of the sending country as well as the state of the US economy.

Ambassador Marks said she was promised a review for Jamaica.

In response, Mrs. Bridgewater stated that she believed the positive economic developments in Jamaica will augur well for a review of the visa regime.