Whenever someone files a visa application that contains false information it is considered as fraud committed against the U.S. government. The end result is that the person applying for a U.S. visa could face a longer delay in processing or an immediate denial of the visa. There is also a possibility that future visa applications can be affected for presenting false information on any visa application.
To add more to the repercussions of falsifying information on a visa application is that anyone who helps an applicant to provide false information simply to gain entry into the United States can be indicted and prosecuted by a federal grand jury as long as the matter is thoroughly investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Some instances where false information can result in a visa denial are:
- personal information
- refusing to disclose past visa refusals and
- lying about a past criminal activity or convictions
What is Deemed as False Personal Information?
Falsified personal information that misrepresents an individual on a visa application is considered as fraud. The following types of information are considered personal and therefore lying about them could lead to a U.S. visa denial:
- legal name or alias
- date of birth
- financial information (many visa applications asks the question to prove that he or she will be able to support themselves while in the U.S)
- Information about present or past marriages or other family members
What is Wrong with Not Sharing Past Visa Refusals?
Every visa applicant is asked if they have ever been refused a U.S. visa in the past. It is wrongful to not mention previous visa refusals. Failure to mention a past visa refusal can end in denial and even more consequences. What you may not know is that all information pertaining to previous visa refusals is readily accessible to U.S. government officials processing visa applications. Regardless of how harmless failing to reveal information on a visa application might have seemed, you have committed fraud and will face some serious consequences.
Concealing Information about Previous Crimes Can Lead to Problems
In any visa application every applicant is asked if they have a criminal record. Any and all information pertaining to any arrests and criminal convictions are also readily available to immigration officers during the process of a visa. Hundreds if not thousands of applicants do not disclose a crime, an arrest or even a criminal record for fear that their visa gets denied. Indeed getting a denial is a possibility because many crimes are considered a ground of inadmissibility. But if you also provide false information pertaining to an arrest or conviction, you may now basically have two separate problems on your hands.
Can Fraud on an Applicant’s Record Affect Getting Another U.S. Visa to the U.S?
If a foreign national’s intention was to provide false information on his or her visa application simply to hide a specific fact he or she is in for some serious trouble. Immigration laws treat false information on a visa application very sternly and possibly as a crime of moral turpitude. In order to obtain any type of visa in the future, you will need to persuade the U.S. immigration officer to forgive or overlook the past misrepresentation by requesting a waiver of inadmissibility. Seek an attorney’s help concerning a waiver of inadmissibility.
Consult with an Immigration Attorney
Have you misrepresented yourself when applying for a U.S. visa? Did you fail to disclose a visa refusal or any past crime or arrests? Then look no further and contact the Gambacorta Law Office at 1-847-786-2599 for advice.