The U.S. Embassy in Albania has issued a strong warning to citizens applying for U.S. visas, urging them to avoid using visa agencies and to complete the application process themselves. The embassy's message, conveyed through official social media channels, emphasizes the importance of accurate and personal application completion, highlighting the potential consequences of errors or false information.
The embassy explicitly stated that inaccuracies can lead to visa refusal, and the provision of false information can result in a ban on future travel to the United States. To further illustrate their point, the embassy's announcement included a visual clarifying the official visa application fee of $185, a stark contrast to the inflated $700 often charged by visa agencies.
"Do not rely on an agency to accurately complete your application. Mistakes can lead to refusal of your application and providing false information can prevent your future travel. Protect yourself and your data while saving money – avoid the visa agent and apply online for a US visa yourself. Remember, the US Embassy in Tirana is the only official source of information for US visas in Albania, and we offer this for free," the embassy stated.
This warning comes after a previous advisory from the embassy, which included an illustrative video detailing the negative repercussions of inaccurate application data. The embassy's continued emphasis on this issue indicates a growing concern regarding the prevalence of visa agencies and their potentially detrimental impact on applicants.
"Do not trust anyone who promises to help you get a US visa in exchange for money. Visa agencies' primary goal is to make money, NOT to give you good advice. If they complete your application incorrectly or with false information, YOU are responsible. Your application will be refused and any valid visa may be cancelled," the embassy reiterated.
The embassy's consistent messaging aims to safeguard Albanian citizens from potential fraud and application errors, ensuring a more transparent and reliable visa application process.