The United States announced the launch of a system for issuing a digital travel authorization (DVA) instead of the traditional paper visa pasted into travelers’ passports.
The procedure for obtaining an entry permit remains the same; it does not cancel the interview procedure at embassies.
The change is expected to simplify the visa renewal process by eliminating the need to mail documents to US missions for verification. A pilot project is already being implemented at the US Embassy in Dublin (Ireland).
The reform will take at least 18 months. US authorities plan to gradually expand the program, starting with certain types of visas and countries. As a result, the country will completely abandon paper visas.