The United States Mission Nigeria has issued a renewed warning to Nigerians over visa fraud and related abuses, urging the public to report suspicious activities to its Fraud Prevention Units in Abuja and Lagos as part of efforts to safeguard the integrity of the US visa system.

In an advisory posted on X, the mission cautioned that individuals who attempt to defraud the system expose all applicants to heightened scrutiny, noting that consular officers apply rigorous screening to identify irregularities. The embassy also shared dedicated email channels for reporting suspected fraud.

Officials reiterated that visa fraud—such as providing false information, submitting forged documents, or misrepresenting facts—carries severe penalties under US immigration law. Such actions can result in permanent bans from entering the United States, denial of future visa applications, or refusal of entry at US ports if discovered during vetting.

The warning also targets schemes involving unlicensed intermediaries or so-called “visa consultants” who promise guaranteed appointments or approvals for a fee. The embassy stressed that official visa fees are paid only through authorised government channels and that no third party can lawfully guarantee a visa outcome.

Beyond individual consequences, consular officials noted that fraud, overstays, or misuse by a few travellers can trigger tighter screening and stricter policies for all applicants from a country—affecting students, professionals, business travellers, and families with legitimate travel plans.

Nigerians remain among the largest applicants for US non-immigrant visas in Africa, spanning tourist, business, student, and work categories. However, the US Department of State introduced reciprocal measures in mid-2025 that limited many Nigerian non-immigrant visas to single entry with three-month validity, reflecting broader policy adjustments.

US officials emphasised that law-abiding Nigerians continue to engage legally with the United States as workers, professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors, adding that honesty and strict adherence to application rules are essential to preserving opportunities for legitimate travel.

Applicants were advised to use only official US government websites ending in “.gov,” avoid unofficial agents promising special access, and promptly report suspected fraud to the embassy’s fraud prevention units.