The US Embassy in Ethiopia has announced that it will implement a new non-immigrant visa procedure beginning July 31, 2013. The new procedure aims at streamlining and making the visa application process less complicated for those traveling to the United States.

Details about the new process will be disclosed via a new website, http://usvisa-info.com on July 31. Current applicants, who have already paid a visa application fee, must schedule their visa appointment on or before July 29, 2013, the Embassy has announced.

Applicants, who failed to schedule their appointment on or before that date, should wait to pay the visa application fee, and get scheduling after the new procedure is fully implemented. Moreover, travelers, who have paid the visa fee under the old system, but have appointments under the new system may be required to pay again for the processing. No increase will be made to the visa application fee when the procedure is changed, according to Rachel Kallas, Vice secretary council at the Embassy.