By: Methuselah Gaye
The United States Embassy in Monrovia has attributed the high refusal rate of visa applications by Liberians to growing concerns over illegal immigration and visa overstays.
U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officer, Raymond Stephens, said nearly 20 percent of Liberians who travel to the United States fail to return, violating the terms of their visas.
“A lot of your listeners may have heard about the high refusal rate for visas at the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia. That’s true,” Stephens stated.
He explained that one of the major factors considered in granting a visa is whether applicants are likely to return home after their visit.
“If you go to the United States on a tourist visa, student visa, or exchange visa and you don’t come back, you become an illegal immigrant,” he said.
Stephens warned that continued abuse of the visa system could have serious consequences for Liberia, including restrictions similar to those imposed on some other countries.
“A lot of countries, including countries in West Africa, have had their visa access completely restricted because of abuse of the system,” he noted.
However, he clarified that Liberia is not currently under any visa ban.
The embassy is urging Liberians to comply with visa conditions to avoid jeopardizing travel opportunities for others.
