The U.S. Embassy in Nassau is ranked among the top 10 posts processing U.S. waivers for people otherwise ineligible for visa-free entry into the United States last year, according to a U.S. Office of Inspector General report.
"In 2011 the consular section submitted almost 450 requests for waivers [in Nassau]," the report said.  "An unusual number of visa applicants have criminal records, previous overstays in the United States, or other ineligibilities for visa-free entry," it continued.
An inspection took place in Nassau last year between September 29 and October 12 by the Office of Inspector General (OIG).  The resulting report contains various recommendations to increase efficency at the embassy.
"Consular officers have the authority to recommend... waivers of ineligibilities to the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which has a regional office in Kingston, Jamaica," the report read.
The report further noted that visa officers are "uncomfortable with recommending waivers for individuals with serious ineligibilities".
According to the report, the new consular chief at the embassy has indicated his willingness to review the current waiver policy with the adjudicating officers, and to develop guidelines for considering each case in light of the reasons for the ineligibility and the purpose of travel.
The report also noted that requests for waivers of ineligibility are labor intensive and delay the processing of visas for all applicants.
As a result the report notes that the OIG has recommended the embassy should "review (U.S.) Department of State criteria for recommending waivers of visa ineligibilities and apply those standards to the visa process to facilitate the application of consistent policy for each waiver recommendation".

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