The United States Mission Nigeria has cautioned Nigerians against engaging in visa fraud, calling on the public to report suspicious activities to its Fraud Prevention Units in Abuja and Lagos.
In a statement shared on X, the mission warned that individuals who attempt to manipulate the visa process create additional scrutiny for all applicants. It emphasized that U.S. consular officers carry out thorough screening to identify irregularities in applications. The embassy provided dedicated email addresses — AbujaFPU@state.gov and LagosFPU@state.gov — for reporting suspected fraud.
Authorities reiterated that visa fraud, including falsifying documents, providing false information, or misrepresenting facts, carries severe penalties under U.S. immigration laws. Such violations can result in permanent bans from entering the United States and lifelong ineligibility for future visas. Offenders may also be denied entry at U.S. ports if fraud is detected during background checks.
The warning also addressed schemes involving unlicensed agents or so-called “visa consultants” who claim they can guarantee appointments or approvals for a fee. The mission stressed that official visa fees are paid strictly through authorized government channels and that no intermediary can lawfully promise a successful outcome.
Officials noted that fraudulent activities, including visa overstays or misuse, can have broader consequences, potentially leading to stricter visa policies that affect legitimate travelers such as students, professionals, business visitors, and families.
Nigerians remain among the largest groups applying for U.S. non-immigrant visas in Africa. However, in mid-2025, the United States Department of State introduced reciprocal visa measures limiting many Nigerian non-immigrant visas to single-entry with three-month validity.
Despite these changes, U.S. authorities maintain that law-abiding Nigerians continue to travel legally for work, study, business, and investment opportunities. They urged applicants to rely only on official U.S. government websites ending in “.gov” for forms and payments and to avoid unauthorized agents offering special access or guarantees.
The mission concluded that preserving the integrity of the visa system is essential, warning that fraudulent conduct not only harms individual applicants but could also influence future visa policies affecting Nigerians.
