The ongoing delay in processing Visa applications has adversely affected South Africans who work in the USA. The matter was addressed during an urgent meeting between SACCUSA President Mr Neil Diamond and the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ms Akunna Cook.
South African agricultural workers, businesspeople and students need to travel to the USA to meet contractual obligations and many of the visas are time sensitive. Delays by US Consulates in South Africa, due to capacity constraints, have created major challenges for travelers. Mr Diamond requested Ms Cook to offer support to South Africans who are in a dire situation in order to promote economic inclusion of South African farmers and businesspeople in the US economy. The US State Department will investigate the matter.