The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo said Monday that applicants for visas unrelated to immigration may expect the processing of their applications to be delayed as a result of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.
The embassy said that since the attacks, the embassy's consular section has accepted nonimmigrant applications only by mail or through travel agencies.
"While we remain committed to processing nonimmigrant visa cases by mail in the quickest possible time frame, we cannot guarantee our usual 10-day turnaround for mailed-in cases," the embassy said in a press release.
The embassy said it currently processes applications submitted by and picked up by travel agents within five to seven working days.
Most travel agents charge a nonrefundable fee for assisting with visa applications, the embassy said.
For more information, visit the embassy's Web site at usembassy.state.gov/tokyo/wwwh7100.html