US VISA APPLICANTS MUST GUARD THEMSELVES AGAINST SCAMMERS AND EXPLOITERS

Jun 04, 2023 Consumer Concerns, News

CONSUMER CONCERNS

PAT DIAL

Kaieteur News – Guyana, between the 1960s and 1990s, was governed by an authoritarian regime which turned its back on democracy, engineered a precipitous economic collapse, damaged the social fabric and to whose door must be laid the uncontrollable crime wave and widespread shortages of food, medicines and other necessities which enveloped the country. In desperation, a large percentage of the population fled this country, going to any country they could, with thousands finding themselves in the United States.

Today, though Guyana has become an oil-rich country with the promise of approaching within four to five years the social and economic amenities and standards of the developed world, many Guyanese are still rushing to apply for US visas. So many people are in this movement that there is even a new profession called ‘Visa Consultant’ to serve them. These so-called consultants charge enormous fees for filling up visa application forms and almost invariably project themselves as being able to secure visas by falsely claiming they have “contacts” in the US Embassy. These persons are scammers and the US Embassy has taken the time to issue a release exposing their machinations. In this article, we shall keep closely to the text of the release for both authenticity and clarity.

The Release begins by setting out the issue: “There has been an increase in third party preparers or visa service providers creating fake appointment letters and charging exorbitant fees for visa services people can otherwise do by themselves”.

The Embassy then goes on to advise that correct and up-to-date forms could always be had free at: https://ceac.state. gov/ceac/ and https://www.us-cis.gov/forms/all-forms.

Persons are asked to use these official sites for correct and up-to-date forms. The Embassy then gives further information and step by step instructions to help applicants through the various processes and such could be obtained from the website:

https://gy.usembassy.gov/visas/ and https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-gy/niv/users/sign_in

Applicants are alerted that the visa application process is simple but that “visa application centres” profit by making the visa application process appear complicated.

If however, the applicant uses the help of a visa consultant, he or she must ensure that no false information is on their form, since, in the words of the embassy, “False information could disqualify you and make you permanently ineligible for a visa. You are responsible for what is on your visa application form. For this reason, we encourage applicants to complete their application forms themselves and pay the required visa processing fees at the embassy.

“If someone else is helping you with your visa application, ensure they give you the login details or confirmation number”.

“You must use your own email address to create an account to manage your visa application and appointment since the Consular Section often sends case status updates to the email you use to register. Using someone else’s email may cause you to miss important updates about your case and cause delays”.

“Keep a copy of your application and confirmation and proof of direct payment of visa processing fees”.

Finally, the Embassy enjoins applicants: “Visa consultants cannot improve your chances of qualifying for a visa and they have no “inside” connection with the Embassy. Your eligibility is determined by a consular officer after a visa interview . . . Knowing someone at the Embassy will not help you to get a visa since an applicant’s qualifications as presented in the visa application and at the interview and the US Law are the only bases on which consular officers make visa decisions”.

This urgent effort by people, especially young people to enter the United States is beginning to lessen as it is gradually being realised that America is no longer “the Land of Opportunity” or “the American Dream”, as it was in the 19th and 20th centuries. And also most countries of the developing world are beginning to provide their citizens with a better life.

In Guyana’s case, within four or five years, social and economic conditions would have advanced to such an extent that Guyanese people would only visit the United States as tourists, to see their relatives or friends settled there, and to return home as quickly as they can. Visa consultants would in due course fade away.

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US VISA APPLICANTS MUST GUARD THEMSELVES AGAINST SCAMMERS AND EXPLOITERS

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