The United States Embassy in Apia will now be able to process applications and print visitor visas without sending them to the Auckland office.
The Charge d'affaires in Samoa, Peter Ganser, says the move is due to an upgrade of the process system which cost 100 thousand US dollars.
The new technology has eased the backlog in demand for visa appointments and will allow the Embassy office to provide a much improved interviewing experience for visa applicants.
Mr Ganser says the technology will eliminate the need to ship the passports of approved applicants to Auckland for processing.
Photo: RNZ / Mary Baines
