The Jamaican Observer is reporting that the United States Embassy in Kingston is busily scheduling some 1,000 appointments every day for interview dates to apply for non-immigrant visas. In fact, all interview dates for the remainder of 2016 have been filled. Nonimmigrant visas are issued to individuals who live outside of the US but who want to visit the country on a temporary basis for vacation, study, or business. Since July 2016, Jamaicans have been challenged to get interview dates for the rest of the year due to the unusually high number of requests for such visas. Applications can be made online to the Embassy, but many people choose to pay a fee to get their interview dates through travel agencies. The lack of available interview dates has some Jamaicans worried that they will not be able to attend events like Thanksgiving holiday celebrations in November with their family and friends. The Counselor for Public Affairs at the Embassy, Joshua Polacheck, has said that while there is pressure on the visa system due to high demand, authorities will still consider applications from individuals who have “urgent” matters to handle in the US.