‘But applicants may be barred for life for fake visa applications’
Consul General of the US Embassy in Dhaka Jamie Fouss on Thursday said the Embassy has not stopped issuing student visas as it regularly issues that to qualified student applicants.
“Unfortunately, many student applicants may feel that they are qualified without actually being qualified under US law. To be qualified, a student must demonstrate to the interviewing officer’s satisfaction that they are a sincere student,” he said while responding to a question in a facebook chat.
They (applicants) also must demonstrate that they are qualified for the programme they have selected – so if the I-20 says they speak English the officer will expect the student to speak English at a level necessary for university study, the official said.
“The applicants must also demonstrate that they have the money to pay for the first year of study and a reasonable plan to pay for the remainder of their education.”
Jamie Fouss said visa applicants, including student applicants, are cautioned against working with individuals or agents offering “visa assistance.”
“If broker services are used and the applicant submits a fraudulent visa application, the applicant may be barred for life from entering the United States. Broker services are a waste of your money,” he said.
The official said these visa brokers charge large sums of money on the promise of obtaining US visas for travelers and broker services do not influence visa adjudications.
The Consul General also said the US Embassy is happy to issue visas to student applicants but the burden of proof is on the student; the student must prove their qualifications to the officer.
Responding to another query, he said the Diversity Visa Program in Bangladesh ended in October 2012 and the programme no longer exists in Bangladesh since Bangladesh has sent more than 50,000 new permanent resident visa holders to the United States over the past five years.
“Be aware that unscrupulous criminals who may attempt to defraud you into thinking the Diversity Visa Program still exists and that if you pay them a lot of money they can help you qualify. Do not be fooled,” he said.
Source: UNB Connect
