Semantics. You must register. Yes, you don't register your visa, but you must register and your visa number is part of that registration process. That they refer to this registration as "Visa Registration" is irrelevant. It refers to a process that is required and if you didn't want to use a hotel or make your friend do it, then yes, you would want to pay the agency to do it for you. Yes, it is a ripoff for 98% of all travelers,, but they are still referring to an actual task.