Diplomacy and transparency missing from US visa service
Re: “Good luck with that US visa application – you’ll need it”, March 31, Have Your Say.
It seems embassy spokesperson Sweeney and reader Mr Rees aren’t going to respond to my latest letter, but I want to clarify some points of what I’ve been trying to accomplish.
First, I would like to meet with someone from the US Embassy so that they can tell me exactly why my two nephews were refused tourist visas. I have the documents they took with them to the interview, but wonder what you may have to support your decision. I’ve written to the US Ambassador, Mr Davis, twice requesting that, but still have received no response.
Second, I would like to have the State Department change their system in visa applications. There needs to be specific rules for issuing documents, not just some individual’s opinion. If an application is refused, the applicant needs to know why it was refused, so if it is just missing documentation, they can get the additional required documents and not be left in limbo. Unfortunately, too many people in the Consular Section act arrogantly, fail to treat Thai people as equals, and seem to feel they own not just the embassy but the US and maybe Thailand as well.
Finally, the charge for an application needs to be looked at. Even a follow-up application to show additional documentation has the same cost. I find it hard to believe that each application causes an additional $160 (Bt5,500) of work. And if an application is refused, most if not all of the fee should be returned.
Many Thai people I know have had problems getting a US visa and therefore have a negative opinion of the US Embassy and the embassy personnel. People need to be treated as if they were innocent until proven guilty and worthy of respect and common courtesy. That will leave even people who have been refused visas feeling better about the experience. After all, the job of US State Department people is to develop friends for America, not enemies.
Several Thai people have told me they applied for a tourist visa and, after being refused by the embassy, were able to get one because of “knowing someone important” who intervened for them. If a person doesn’t deserve a visa on their own, what difference should the intervention of someone else make? The system needs to be changed.
Mark Harris
