US embassy to Nigerians: Visa applicants with fake documents risk permanent entry ban

The United States embassy in Nigeria has warned that visa applicants who present fake documents will face a permanent entry ban from the US.

In a statement issued via X on Monday, the embassy assured that “US government interagency efforts combat fraud and will end illegal immigration”.

“Those who commit visa fraud will be banned from the United States for life,” the statement reads.

“A nation without borders is not a nation.”

Documents needed for a US visa application typically depend on the type of visa and personal circumstances.

However, most applicants—especially for non-immigrant visas such as tourists, business travellers, and students—are expected to provide a valid passport, a completed DS-160 form, proof of visa appointment confirmation, a visa fee receipt, proof of purpose of visit, and proof of funds.

Applicants are also required to provide proof of ties to their home country, which may include employment letters, property ownership, or school enrolment, and travel insurance.

Beyond a permanent denial of entry, the embassy warned that visa fraudsters and individuals who facilitate the illegal entry and harbouring of immigrants will face criminal charges.

This could include persons who act as sponsors, travel agents, or middlemen engaged in falsifying visa application documents.

A lifetime ban is not only irreversible but can also affect applicants’ chances of securing visas to other Western countries that share immigration intelligence with the US.