I think I know how the US became the richest country in the world.
1. They bigged up their nation to the rest of the world, making everyone want to go there
2. They tell anyone who wants to come in that they have to get a visa
3. They charge £1.23 per minute to ring and book an appointment for the visa, and the conversation lasts roughly ten mins so £12.30
4. They make you pay $150 for an interview (about £100)
In 2010 alone, 160 million people were granted nonimmigrant entry in America (this is when they are allowed temporary residency but not citizenship - you can stay for more than a holiday, but less than forever). 160 million multiplied by £112.30 = £17,968,000,000.
Simples. How are they going bankrupt?!
I jest. I know that there are wages to pay at the embassy for staff etc, plus running expenses, etc etc. However, it is all a bit of a rip. Especially when they have not trained their staff on simple processes like 'How to smile' and 'How not to hate our customers'. I recently went to the Ghana High Commission to get a visa for my boss, and I couldn't believe how chilled it was. I mean, firstly, I was allowed to pick up a visa for someone else! At the US embassy, my passport was scrutinised to ensure I really was the same person as in the picture, I was x-rayed along with my belongings, and gave my fingerprints 14 times. The lady behind the desk didn't even smirk when she asked for my left hand and I had to hold up my forefinger and thumb in an 'L' shape to make sure which hand was left. They no trust nobody.
I know it's slightly silly to compare the Ghanaian embassy to the American one, Africa and America are two verrry different places with two verrrry different attitudes towards others. It just all seems a bit, well, paranoid. Honestly, I am a lovely person. You will be very lucky to have me America, I promise!
