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US Begins New Multiple-entry Visa Program For Cubans

WASHINGTON, D.C. CMC – The US Department of State says it has begun a new multiple-entry visa program for Cubans.

“The Obama administration believes these measures, in addition to others, will increase people-to-people contact, support civil society in Cuba and enhance the free flow of information to, from, and among the Cuban people,” said the State Department in a statement.

The new program will make non-immigrant visas valid for five years instead of the current six months and valid for multiple entries.

The State Department said the change “removes procedural and financial burdens on Cuban travelers.”

In addition, the department said the change would reduce the workload at the US Interests Section in Havana, which handles US affairs in the country.

The US Interests Section in Havana said in a statement that the Department of State is “changing the validity of B-2 visas from six months, single entry to five-years, multiple entries for qualified Cuban nationals.”

B-2 visas are issued to people coming to the United States for family visits, tourism, medical treatment, or other personal travel.

“This change will not affect the validity of B-1 visas (for business) or the combination B-1/B-2 visa,” the statement said.

“The validity of those visas will remain six months, single entry,” it added, stating that the change will only apply to visa applications submitted after August 1, 2013, “and will be issued to qualified applicants at the discretion of a consular officer.

“Those who have recently been issued a single-entry B2 visa will not be able to exchange or transfer the visa for a multiple-entry visa,” the statement continued. “We suggest applicants applying for a B1 visa should consider applying for the B2 multiple-entry visa as well.”

The US Interests Section said all visa applicants will continue to undergo a “rigorous review to ensure they are qualified for a visa.”

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