The United States Embassy in Ghana is stepping up its visa vetting processes following extensive revised guidelines by the Trump administration, particularly for students, while addressing persistent concerns about application success rates, visa fixers, and social media scrutiny.
Mr. Elliot Fertik, the Consul General at the US Embassy in Ghana, provided crucial insights on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show today, Monday, June 23, outlining new policies and clarifying long-standing procedures for Ghanaian visa applicants that could boost application success.
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.
The Consul General’s detailed explanations aim to demystify the US visa application process for Ghanaians, encouraging adherence to rules while safeguarding applicants from fraudulent practices.
Below are 10 things we learnt from Mr. Fertik.
1. Enhanced social media vetting for student visas
Under a new policy, the US Embassy is now conducting “enhanced vetting of the social media and online presence of all student visa applicants”.
This means applicants must set their social media profiles to public before their interview.
Mr. Fertik clarified, “We reserve the right to engage in social media vetting for any visa applicant; however, under the current administration, we are focusing in particular on social media vetting for students.”
2. Purpose of social media scrutiny
The expanded social media checks aim to provide a holistic view of applicants. Mr. Fertik explained, “Whenever we consider a person’s eligibility for a visa, we look at the entire picture. We look at what they present to us, but we also look online, and sometimes there’s information there that is important for our decision.”
This vetting helps ensure applicants meet visa terms and have no prohibitive background issues like criminal history.
He assured that these measures are “not aimed at the vast majority of Ghanaians who want to peacefully obey the law,” but rather at a “certain minority who do not follow the rules or otherwise are not eligible for a visa.”
3. Impact of “unfavourable” social media comments
When asked if past comments deemed unfavourable to the United States could affect an application, Mr. Fertik stated, “It could.”
He emphasised that “every case is individual”, and while some things, like a criminal background, are “deal breakers”, the embassy considers “the whole circumstances”.
He reiterated that for those intending to obey the law, this vetting “will not be a problem”.
He also clarified that this is not about “curtailing free speech” but about “looking for their eligibility for the visa and whether or not they qualify.”
4. Severe penalties for overstaying visas
Overstaying a visa or violating its terms carries significant consequences.
Mr. Fertik warned that such actions “could impact their future eligibility for a visa, it could incur a penalty of not being able to enter the United States for a certain period of time up to and including life and they could even be subject to civil or criminal prosecution if they’ve engaged in criminal activity or fraud.”
He added, perhaps most critically, that such actions “make it harder for ordinary law-abiding Ghanaians to get visas in the future.”
5. Caution against visa consultants and “fixers”
Mr. Fertik strongly advised against using visa consultants or “fixers” who claim special influence or guarantee visas for a fee.
He stressed, “They are lying; they are ripping you off.”
He cited numerous “sad stories” of applicants losing thousands of dollars without securing a visa.
He also warned against individuals claiming visas can be obtained by mail without an interview (unless an official waiver process is involved).
The standard application process is outlined on the embassy’s website, along with contact details for assistance.
6. Importance of interview content, not just documents
Applicants preparing for interviews should focus on articulating their plans clearly.
“During most interviews, they are short and the officer makes their decision based on what you say during the interviews, not whatever documents you bring,” Mr. Fertik emphasised.
For tourist visas, questions might include occupation, travel history outside Ghana, and purpose of visit.
Student applicants, whose education “is not cheap in the United States”, must be ready to discuss their study plans and how they will finance their education.
7. No country-specific visa quotas or denial schemes
Mr. Fertik firmly dispelled notions of high denial rates being a deliberate strategy or a “scheme” to deny Ghanaians visas.
“Each visa application is decided individually,” he explained.
“There are no quotas; there’s no decision ahead of time who will get visas and who will not. It is based on the individual merits of the case.”
He acknowledged that while “many cases are denied, there are also plenty that are also granted.”
8. High demand for visa appointments
The challenge in securing interview dates is primarily due to “very high demand”, according to Mr. Fertik.
He revealed that the number of people who paid the visa application fee “tripled between 2019 and 2023”.
This surge means the embassy, despite its efforts, “will not be able to interview everyone who wants a visa interview.”
His advice is to “plan ahead, do it as far in advance as possible.”
9. Legality of upfront visa application fees
Regarding the requirement to pay the visa application fee before securing an appointment, Mr. Fertik clarified that this is mandated by US law.
“Under US law, the American government has to collect the cost of processing a visa application in each case,” he stated.
“Whether or not it is granted or denied, the American government still incurs the cost of processing the visa application.”
10. Warning against “slot blocking” agents
Mr. Fertik addressed concerns about agents allegedly blocking visa appointment slots and selling them.
He warned, “The person who’s making you those promises is probably lying… no one has access to the visa appointment calendar on any sort of special basis.”
He issued a stern warning against engaging in fraud, noting that “there have been cases even in the past month where visa applicants and visa fixers have been arrested and sent to court.”
He concluded with a clear message to such perpetrators:
“We are looking for you, we are hunting you, and we are working with the Ghanaian police to make sure that you cannot rip off visa applicants here.”
Source: myjoyonline.com