The Consul General of the United States Embassy in Ghana, Elliot Fertik, has dismissed claims that the US visa application process is overly complicated, emphasising that the system is designed to be accessible and straightforward for all applicants.
“I don’t think it’s cumbersome. I think that it is straightforward,” Fertik said on Citi Eyewitness News on Thursday, June 26, citing the step-by-step guidance available on the US Embassy’s website.
“We explain to you how you can go online, make an account, pay the visa application fee, and schedule an appointment.”
While acknowledging that some applicants may choose to use travel agents for assistance, Fertik stressed that such help is optional and not necessary for most people.
“There are some people who are travel agents who might help you through the process for a small fee… and as long as they don’t try to evade regular procedures, I have no quarrel with them,” he noted.
He added that the majority of visa applicants complete the process independently. “The vast majority of people who apply for visas do it on their own. They do not engage a third party and they tell us they understand the process and are able to do it without paying extra money.”
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