US vice consul to Pinoys: Visit our website, avoid scammers on visa

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, March 10 (PIA) -  A staff of the United States Embassy has urged Filipinos seeking various forms of visa to visit their website to avoid scammers and fixers.

Sarah Kahnt, Vice Consul of the Embassy of the United States said visa applicants should also tell and declare the truth during interviews and in their application forms.

“Contrary to what others say, our website contains all the information that every applicant needs for various visas. Do not lie, just tell the truth when interviewed,” she said.

US Embassy Vice Consul Sarah Kahnt(3rd from left) explains their 'Walang Sikreto'
Campaign for Pinoy visa applicants in a recent visit to the PIA Office in Bayombong,
Nueva Vizcaya. She said applicants should not trust scammers and fixers but rather
speak and tell the truth in their forms and during interviews.# PIA PHoto

Kahnt was referring to their ‘Walang Sikreto’ campaign for Filipino visa applicants which seeks to help and facilitate the processing of their documents in the U.S. Embassy.

The visa  applications and requirements, among others can be accessed at www.ustraveldocs.com/ph. It also contains general information about Nonimmigrant and immigrant visas.

Kahnt also said they do not endorse visa applicants to private agencies for their VISAs.

“We make sure that our applicants will not become victims of scams and fixers that is why we are reaching out to the countryside,” she said.

Kahnt added that an applicant’s truthful and full disclosure of the required information are already enough  for them to look on its merits and the totality of their circumstance.

“While we cannot guarantee the approval of every visa, we depend on the information submitted upfront,” she said.

According to her, they were able to process and approve 250,000 regular tourist visas alone last year.(MDCT/BME/PIA 2-Nueva Vizcaya)        

 

source https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1035974