The US Embassy in Kingston has announced that its visa application system will be going paperless as of Wednesday, March 24.

This means that the embassy will only accept online visa applications.

The application forms will be available on the embassys website www.kingston.usembassy.gov as of March 4.

The embassy also says there will be a new DS-160 form.

It will replace the current paper-based DS-156 non-immigrant visa application.

The DS-160 form must be completed and sent online and the information on the application will be electronically transmitted to the US Embassy.

The embassy says the new system is expected to improve efficiency, accuracy, and security for all visa applicants.

It says on March 24 when the paperless visa application system takes effect, applicants will only need to present a printed DS-160 confirmation sheet at their interviews.

They must also take their passport and a visa application fee receipt from any branch of the National Commercial Bank (NCB).