The best advice about visas is on the US Government’s website
Q. I have been reading advice posted online about going to the US Embassy for a visa. There are many personal stories that reassure me about my interview, but it can be confusing because often the advice one person posts conflicts with another person’s advice. How do I know what to believe? What websites can I trust?
A. You are wise to question what you read online. The best advice about online advice is “no need to worry”. If you want the best information, go to the source and get your facts about applying for a US visa from the US Government itself. Here are three ways you can do that:
* Log on to the US Embassy Kingston visa webpage;
* Go to worldwide portal for visa information to the US at www.travel.state.gov; and
* Follow the US Embassy Kingston Facebook page for news and updates.
Like almost any topic, there are uninformed opinions posted online about US immigration policy and visas. Unfortunately, the people posting these opinions may sometimes have illegitimate intentions, like Internet “trolls” who deliberately post misinformation, and people who are attempting fraud.
The vast majority of people posting advice about US visas online are ordinary people sharing their views and experiences. Sometimes their stories are actually the stories that they have heard from their friends or relatives and they may be missing a key piece of the puzzle. Even when people tell true stories of their own visa experiences, it is not unusual for people to misunderstand US immigration law, which can be complex, or to make assumptions about their experience that will, in fact, not apply to another person applying for a visa.
The consular officers at the US Embassy who interview visa applicants are carefully trained and vetted. They have a strong desire to facilitate travel to the United States for every person who qualifies for a visa under US law and they seek to provide a good customer experience for each and every applicant. The best way to prepare for your visa interview is to relax, not worry too much and be forthright with the consular officer who interviews you about your reasons for travelling to the US.
You can find more information about how to travel to the US on our website, www.kingston.usembassy.gov and the website of our authorised service provider at www.usvisa-info.com. Keep on top of embassy news on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/US-Embassy-Jamaica and by following @USEmbassyJA on Twitter. We also answer general visa questions on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Remember, your appointment time is your arrival time NOT your interview time. Do not show up earlier than your appointment time.
The embassy staff in Kingston will answer questions you may have regarding the US Mission, including consular law, regulations and/or practice. In order to respect privacy, staff will not answer questions about specific visa applications. The embassy employs a visa appointment system, so it is only necessary for visa applicants to arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment.
Send your questions to: editorial@jamaicaobserver.com and we will forward them to the embassy.