US Embassy Gives Visa Assurance and Caution to Ghanaians: “The Requirements Are Strict”
- The US Embassy in Ghana has assured Ghanaians of fair and transparent visa application processes
- The Consul General at the US Embassy in Ghana, Elliot Fertik, urged Ghanaians to follow due process in applications
- Fertik also urged prospective travellers to use only the official application channels and avoid third parties
The Consul General at the US Embassy in Ghana, Elliot Fertik, has assured Ghanaians that visa denials are not predetermined.
He told Joy FM that visa applicants who follow the correct procedures will be given a fair chance.
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Fertik also assured that the visa process is transparent and guided by well-established rules.
"The requirements are strict; we do absolutely look carefully at each individual applicant to make sure that they are qualified and do not pose any problem for the United States."
When asked whether there is a quota for issuing US visas, Fertik said there was no such thing.
He assured that each application was assessed on its merit and carefully scrutinised in the best interests of the United States.
"For non-immigrant visas, no. I can say that there are some for immigrant visas; we do have a quota or limit for each individual country, but for non-immigrant visas, there is no quota."
He further urged prospective travellers to use only the official application channels and avoid third-party agents.
By the end of 2024, the US Embassy in Accra had moved to a new visa services provider.
The switch marked the end of access to the previous website and services, which had been discontinued in August 2024.
With this, applicants could visit the new website to create an account, which would be used to update preferences.
Data from 2024 indicates a nearly 60% success rate, with over $6.6 million in fees from unsuccessful applicants.
While the US Department of State doesn't release specific denial rates for all visa types, the B1/B2 (tourist/business) visa and the F1 (student) visa are known to have high denial rates.
US Embassy warns visa holders
As part of recent announcements, the US Embassy in Ghana warned visa holders that violating US laws could result in visa revocation, deportation, and permanent ineligibility for future travel to the US.
This warning came amid increasing scrutiny on visa compliance and immigration enforcement in the US.
Visa holders convicted of crimes, even if they are minor, stand the risk of immediate deportation and a potential lifetime ban from re-entry.
The embassy urged visa holders to obey all US federal, state, and local laws, including traffic and immigration regulations.
Source: Getty Images
US Embassy issues warning for Ghanaians
YEN.com.gh reported that the US Embassy previously warned that there would be consequences for persons, including students, who flout their laws in an attempt to travel to the US.
The Embassy stated that it would not tolerate any attempts by Ghanaians to enter the US illegally.
It added that attempts to falsify information for a visa, work without proper authorisation, or overstay a visa will also come with significant penalties.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
