The United States Embassy's self-service website, at which applicants are to schedule a visa appointment or obtain information on how to apply for a visa, becomes operational tomorrow.

The website address is www.usvisa-jamaica.com and there is a US$10 charge for the service, payable by Visa or MasterCard through the website.

In a release yesterday, the embassy stated that to pay for the same service by cash, a personal identification number (PIN) can be purchased at any National Commercial Bank branch using Jamaican dollars. The PIN is then entered at the website. This service is available 24 hours a day/seven days a week.

Also beginning tomorrow

The embassy's telephone call centre can be reached by dialing 1-800-572-7780, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time except on Jamaican and US holidays.

For US$13, the caller will receive eight minutes of call time with an agent to schedule a visa appointment or to obtain information on how to apply for a visa.

Over the phone, the fee is payable by Visa or MasterCard. Cash payments for a PIN allowing eight minutes with an agent can be made at any NCB branch. The PIN will be activated the next business day.