Elliot Fertik, the Consul General of the United States Embassy in Ghana, has dismissed claims that the US visa application process is overly complicated. He emphasized that the system is designed to be accessible and straightforward for all applicants. “I don’t think it’s cumbersome. I think it is straightforward,” Fertik said during an interview on Citi Eyewitness News on Thursday, June 26.
He highlighted the step-by-step guidance available on the US Embassy’s website, stating, “We explain how you can go online, create an account, pay the visa application fee, and schedule an appointment.” While he acknowledged that some applicants may opt 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.”
By: Abigail Arthur
