The United States Mission in Nigeria has warned visa applicants against submitting forged or misleading documents, saying such cases are escalated to relevant US government agencies when detected.

The mission disclosed this in a post on its official X account as part of its ongoing #VisaWiseTravelSmart campaign, which seeks to educate applicants about the US visa process.

According to the mission, consular officers do more than reject applications when they discover fraudulent documents or information suggesting that an applicant could pose a security threat.

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The statement read: "When consular officers detect fraudulent documents in a visa application or uncover information suggesting an individual may be a potential threat, we immediately alert all appropriate U.S. government agencies. We are coordinating to protect national security and keep criminals and bad actors out."

The warning means applicants who submit fake bank statements, employment letters, travel records or other supporting documents could face consequences beyond having their visa applications rejected.

The mission said information uncovered during the process may be shared with relevant US law enforcement and security agencies as part of efforts to prevent criminals and other potential threats from entering the country.

The US Mission has repeatedly urged Nigerians seeking visas for tourism, business, education or immigration purposes to provide accurate information and genuine supporting documents throughout their applications.

Applicants are therefore advised to avoid fraudulent documentation or misleading claims, as such actions could negatively affect their chances of obtaining a US visa in the future.