Wang Yuanyuan

    Approximately 20 percent of student and travel visa applications to the United States were denied last year and the American Embassy in China suggests travelers and students not hire so-called application consultation to help apply for visas.

    The embassy had received nearly 1 million applications for nonimmigrant visas last year, an increase of nearly 30 percent over the previous year, the embassy said.

    During the peak time in summer, they had to work overtime due to the large amount of applications.

    Most of the applications were approved, and those which were denied were mainly because applicants had been ignorant of the procedure or provided fake information.

    Many applicants hired third-party consultants to help prepare for the procedure but were denied as the consultants provided fake information about the applicants.

    “Some consultants would fake information in the hope of having a better chance of gaining approval. However, once the embassy finds out, it will be denied immediately and the applicant may be banned from entering the United States permanently,” said Liu Xinyu, a senior education agency.

    The embassy suggested applicants deal with the visa application matters on their own, providing accurate information, so it will be very easy to get the visa successfully.