The United States Mission in Nigeria has renewed its warning against visa fraud, urging Nigerians to report suspicious activities to its Fraud Prevention Units in Abuja and Lagos.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a post on X, the mission said individuals who attempt to manipulate the visa process “bring increased scrutiny on all visa applicants,” stressing that US consular officers apply strict screening procedures to identify irregularities.
The embassy provided dedicated email channels — AbujaFPU@state.gov and LagosFPU@state.gov — for members of the public to report suspected visa fraud.
According to US officials, visa fraud includes lying on application forms, submitting forged documents, or misrepresenting personal information. Such offences carry severe penalties under US immigration law.
Embassy warnings issued in recent years have stated that false declarations or misrepresentation can result in permanent bans from entering the United States. In some cases, offenders may face lifelong ineligibility for future visas and denial of entry at US ports if fraud is uncovered during vetting.
The mission said its warning also targets schemes involving unlicensed intermediaries or so-called “visa consultants” who promise guaranteed appointments or approvals in exchange for payment.
US authorities have repeatedly reminded the public that official visa fees are paid only through authorised government platforms and that no third party can lawfully guarantee a visa outcome.
Beyond individual consequences, the embassy noted that visa fraud can negatively affect legitimate travellers. Consular officials have warned that overstay or misuse by some applicants often leads to heightened scrutiny and tighter policies for all travellers from the same country.
This, they said, could affect students, professionals, business travellers and families with legitimate reasons to visit the United States.
Nigeria remains one of Africa’s largest sources of US non-immigrant visa applicants, including those seeking tourist, business, student and work visas.
However, in mid-2025, the US Department of State introduced reciprocal visa restrictions, limiting many Nigerian non-immigrant visas to single-entry, three-month validity as part of broader policy adjustments.
US officials stressed that law-abiding Nigerians continue to engage legally with the United States as workers, professionals, entrepreneurs and investors, adding that honesty and strict compliance with visa rules are essential to preserving legitimate travel opportunities.
They reiterated that fraudulent activity undermines genuine applicants and could influence future policy decisions affecting Nigerian visa issuance.
The embassy advised applicants to use only official US government websites ending in .gov, avoid unofficial agents promising special access, and report any suspected fraud to the mission’s fraud prevention units.
