‘Beware of brokers’

The US embassy in Dhaka has cautioned prospective visa applicants of brokers whose inappropriate advice can lead to visa refusal.

"We caution prospective applicants that presenting false information and documents may not only result in a visa denial but may also result in an ineligibility that prevents future travel to the United States," said Nathan Look, consul general at the embassy, at a briefing at the capital's American Centre yesterday.

A visa consultant is not necessary to obtain a visa interview appointment. They often charge additional fees and provide inappropriate advice, like creating fake documents, he said.

"The best guidance is to review information on our website, be prepared for their interview with any supporting documentation, and provide factual and truthful answers during the visa process and interviews."

"You can book appointments directly on our website. There is no additional cost to make an appointment; it is included in the application fee," added Nathan.

He said the pandemic forced profound reductions in the US visa processing capacity and thus caused a lot of backlogs.

He also mentioned that the US embassy has resumed regular consular services. "To meet the high demand and reduce the wait time, we are making special efforts to ensure as many applicants as possible receive interview schedules."

Regarding student visas, Nathan said promoting the opportunity for qualified international students to study in the US remains a top priority for the US government.

In 2022, the US embassy issued over 7,400 F-1 student visas, more than any year in the past decade.