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Q: What are the consequences for committing fraud to obtain a visa?
Sometimes visa applicants commit fraud in an effort to obtain a non-immigrant visa or an immigrant visa. Misrepresentations can range from overstating one’s income to falsifying employment or family relationships. Committing fraud is a very serious offense with grave consequences. Even something like a made up invitation letter from the U.S. can cast doubt on the validity of the entire application and result in a refusal. The Consular Section sees many otherwise qualified applicants who wrongly believe that lying is the only way to obtain a visa.
For the person committing fraud, the consequences are extremely serious. Every immigrant visa interview is conducted under oath. If you commit fraud, you may be found permanently ineligible for a visa. A person found guilty of knowingly and willfully falsifying or concealing a material fact or using a false document may be fined a considerable fee and/or sentenced to jail time and may be permanently ineligible to enter the United States. Permanent residents (those with green cards) who have engaged in fraud may be deported or lose their opportunity to become American citizens. Even American citizens who obtained their immigrant visas through fraud may be de-naturalized (i.e., lose their American citizenship) and deported. The Consular Section’s Fraud Prevention Unit aggressively pursues fraud and prosecutes to the fullest extent of the law.
Q: What can I do to avoid fraud or the appearance of fraud?
Educate yourself about the visa categories and requirements for each at www.travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors.html (non-immigrant visas) and www.travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants_types.html (for immigrant visas). If you know that you are not qualified for a visa, do not apply. It is possible that you could qualify in the future. A poor attempt at fraud now could destroy any legitimate chance you have of traveling to the U.S. in the future.
If you are applying for an immigrant visa, bring the correct documents and don’t take shortcuts. A forged document or false legalization can render you ineligible for a visa. The same applies if you are applying for a non-immigrant visa. If you choose to present documents, make sure they are truthful and legitimate.
If you have had problems with the law in Guyana or in the U.S. or with U.S. immigration authorities in the past, chances are that we either know about it, or will discover it before you are issued a visa. Be honest during your interview. A waiver may be available for applicants who have made mistakes in the past.
You are responsible for what you give the consular officer during your interview. If possible, obtain documents like marriage and birth certificates personally, and review them carefully if another family member, friend, or legal representative has acquired the documents on your behalf. If you pay someone else to get documents for you, the documents you receive may be false.
Q: How do I report information about fraud to the Embassy?
If you have a tip concerning fraud that you wish to share with us, you may contact the Fraud Prevention Unit by e-mailing us at visageorge@state.gov or calling us at 225-7965 between 8 am- 12 pm and 1 pm- 4 pm Monday through Friday. By helping to reduce fraud, you are helping to make visa processing easier and more cost efficient for all applicants.
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