U.S. Ambassador Highlights High Visa Denial Rate For Liberians Due To Insincerity.
By: Lawrence D. Kawala
Monrovia, Liberia, October 7, 2024 – The United States Ambassador to Liberia, Mark C. Toner, has disclosed that a significant number of Liberians are denied visas to the U.S. due to their lack of sincerity in adhering to visa terms. According to Ambassador Toner, over 50 percent of Liberians who travel to the United States on a tourist visa fail to return home within the prescribed period.
Liberia ranked fourth on the U.S. Department of State’s list of countries with the highest visa rejection rates for the 2023/2024 period, with a rejection rate of 78.19 percent. Speaking on the state broadcaster, ELBC, Ambassador Toner clarified that the high rejection rate is not the result of any bias against Liberia.
“Liberians do travel to the United States on a tourist visa; over 50 percent or a little more don’t come back within the prescribed period,” Toner explained. He noted that upon entry into the U.S., an individual’s visa is stamped with a specific date indicating when they are expected to leave.
Ambassador Toner emphasized that staying in the U.S. beyond the time limit stated on the visa is classified as an “overstay,” a significant issue that contributes to the high rate of visa rejections for Liberians. He highlighted that this pattern of behavior complicates the chances for other Liberians seeking similar opportunities to visit the United States.
He further urged Liberians who receive U.S. tourist visas to prove their sincerity by adhering to the conditions of their stay. “When we realize that the refusal rate is high for young men and women who want to travel to the U.S. on a tour, it becomes tougher because they’re supposed to return home to continue their work in their country,” Ambassador Toner stated.
The Ambassador called on Liberians to take responsibility for changing this trend by returning to their country once their authorized stay in the U.S. expires. He suggested that a reduction in overstays could significantly lower the current visa denial rate from over 50 percent to around 30 or 40 percent.
Reflecting on his message to the recent 104th graduating class of the University of Liberia, Ambassador Toner encouraged graduates to invest their skills and resources in Liberia’s development rather than seeking opportunities abroad.
He highlighted that Liberia’s growth depends on the commitment of its citizens to remain in the country and contribute to its progress. Toner stressed that development would be more sustainable if young professionals prioritized their nation’s advancement over relocating to the United States.
Ambassador Toner concluded by reiterating that the high visa rejection rate has no bearing on the longstanding bilateral relationship between Liberia and the United States. “This is a legal process that is different from our bilateral relationship, and it is meant to control legal immigration to the United States,” he said, urging Liberians to understand the need for border control as a global norm.
Keep following Teeria Online Television
About The Author
