In anticipation of increased demand for student visas over the coming months, the US Embassy announced on Monday that it would accept student visa applicants on a walk-in basis on Wednesday mornings between April 30 and September 3, 2008.

A statement issued in Accra said student visa applicants must meet some criteria to qualify for a walk-in appointment.

The student must present a valid I-20 (for student visa applicants) or DS-2019 (for exchange visitor applicants) while students wishing to apply for tourist or other visitor visas must schedule an appointment.

The school or exchange programme start date as listed on the I-20 or DS-2019 must fall within 60 days of the interview date while the student must not have been denied on a previous student or exchange programme visa application within the past 12 months.

"Applicants who do not meet all of the above requirements must schedule an appointment through the regular online process," it said.

The statement said applicants fulfilling these requirements were advised to report to the Consular Section at 0730 hours on Wednesdays between April 30 and September 3.

"In the event that the number of walk-ins exceeds our ability to interview, we will work with applicants to schedule an alternate appointment time."

The Embassy said they would attempt to ensure that all qualified student applicants were granted interviews before their school/programme start-date.