General Information
Welcome to the Fraud Prevention Unit’s Webpage.
Our principal mission is to safeguard U.S. borders by detecting and stopping fraud in applications for U.S. passports, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, immigrant visas and nonimmigrant visas.
Beware of persons who say they can obtain a visa for you, whether they are charging you money for the advice or offering the advice as a friend. The U.S. Embassy in Ankara and the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul do not regulate or endorse individuals or businesses that offer advice or assistance with the visa process. No one can guarantee the issuance of a visa to you. Visa eligibility can only be determined at the time of the visa interview. All U.S. government forms are free.
Warning:
It is not necessary to use a travel agency to apply for a U.S. visa. We encourage applicants to complete their own applications online, as all of the information needed to make an application can be found on our website in Turkish and in Farsi. Applicants who choose to use travel agencies do so at their own risk as information on the visa application process provided by travel agencies may not be complete or accurate. Applicants are responsible for the information they provide on visa application forms and for any documents they provide at the interview even if a travel agency prepared the application on behalf of the applicant. If you choose to use a travel agency as your point of contact for the visa process, please be aware that you may not receive updates on your visa processing in a timely manner. We are not responsible for the failure of a travel agency to pass on visa processing information.
Please read the instructions on our website carefully and ensure that the contact information provided on the visa application is valid and up-to-date. All relevant information regarding the visa process can be found online at https://tr.usembassy.gov/visas/ .
Many visa applicants lose money or are permanently barred from the United States after committing fraud on the advice of so-called “visa consultants”. The consequences of committing fraud during the visa or passport application process are extremely serious. The Fraud Prevention Unit maintains a zero tolerance policy towards fraud and it works in conjunction with U.S. and local authorities to enforce it.
If you commit fraud, not only will you lose the benefit that you are seeking, but you may also have to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines and you may even go to jail. The Fraud Prevention Unit, working closely with the American Citizens Services Unit, the Immigrant Visa Unit, the Nonimmigrant Visa Unit, the Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security, aggressively pursues fraud cases, referring individuals as appropriate for prosecution under U.S. and/or Turkish law.
Know before signing!!
Below are the written warnings found on some of the applications or documents.
On the DS-11 (Application for a U.S. Passport or Registration) and the DS-82 (Application for a U.S. Passport by Mail), contains the following warning:
False statements made knowingly and willfully in passport applications or in affidavits or other supporting documents submitted therewith are punishable by fine and/or imprisonment under provisions of 18 U.S.C. 1001 and/or 18 U.S.C. 1542. Alteration or mutilation of a passport issued pursuant to this application is punishable by fine and and/or imprisonment under the provisions of 18 U.S.C. 1543. The use of a passport in violation of the restrictions contained therein or of the passport regulations is punishable by fine and/or imprisonment under 18 U.S.C. 1544. All statements and documents submitted are subject to verification.
Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) (PDF 1,665 KB) contains the following warning: The Department of Homeland Security investigates claimed relationships and verifies the validity of documents. The Department of Homeland Security seeks criminal prosecutions when family relationships are falsified to obtain visas. Penalties: You may, by law be imprisoned for not more than five years, or fined $250,000, or both, for entering into a marriage contract for the purpose of evading any provision of the immigration laws and you may be fined up to $10,000 or imprisoned up to five years or both, for knowingly and willfully falsifying or concealing a material fact or using any false document in submitting this petition.
Form DS-160 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application) contains the following warning: I certify t at I have read and understood all the questions set forth in this application and the answers I have furnished on this form are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that any false or misleading statement may result in the permanent refusal of a visa or denial or entry into the United States. I understand that possession of a visa does not automatically entitle the bearer to enter the United States of America upon arrival at a port of entry if he or she is found inadmissible.
