The United States Mission in Nigeria has issued a strong warning to visa applicants, cautioning that the use of fraudulent documents or false information can lead to more than just a denied application.

Consular officers will immediately notify relevant US government agencies if they detect forged papers or information suggesting a possible security concern.

In a statement released on Monday, the mission said it works closely with other US agencies to protect national security and keep criminals out of the country.

Submitting forged bank statements, employment letters, civil documents or other supporting materials can trigger a finding of wilful misrepresentation under US immigration law. Such a finding can result in a permanent ban from obtaining a US visa, subject only to limited waiver provisions.

The mission also advised applicants to complete their own Form DS-160 carefully or to review every detail if someone helps them. It warned against unlicensed visa consultants who promise guaranteed approvals or offer fake documents. Officials stressed that applicants remain fully responsible for everything submitted in their names.

The warning forms part of the ongoing VisaWiseTravelSmart campaign, which encourages truthful applications for tourism, business, student and immigrant visas.

The US Mission urged Nigerians to rely only on official government websites for accurate information on visa requirements and procedures.