Q: I am applying for a visa and am worried about what to put in my application. Some people have told me that I shouldn’t be honest in the form I fill out, but I want to be. What should I do?

A: Thank you for asking this very important question. Although the visa-application process may seem daunting at first with numerous forms to complete and various fees to pay, it is designed to be straightforward and accessible. Whether you are applying for a visitor’s visa or an immigrant visa, always provide true and consistent information. Even if you have been refused in the past using the correct information, please use the correct information again. This will only strengthen your case by showing that you are an honest applicant and that you are not trying to misrepresent yourself. This also applies if you are providing documents to the embassy related to your application. They must be truthful, accurate, complete, and authentic.

If you lie to a consular officer to obtain a visa, you have committed fraud or misrepresentation that may result in a permanent ineligibility for any visa. Even if you obtain the visa initially, the embassy actively reviews visa issuances for past years, and visas may be revoked if derogatory information comes to light.

Conduct that can lead to a permanent visa ineligibility include providing false information on your application or during the interview; presenting someone else’s passport and/or visa at a port of entry in an attempt to gain entry into the United States; presenting a fake or improperly obtained identification document as proof of identity; and presenting altered or fake civil documents. The consular officer will inform you during the interview if you have a visa ineligibility.

You are responsible for accuracy of all of the information on application

Q: I am not the one who completed my application. A visa agent/friend/family member filled it out for me. If there is an error or a lie there, it’s not my fault, right?

A: You are responsible for the accuracy of all of the information in your application, even if someone else filled out the form. Review data entered by other persons to make sure all of the answers are correct before you submit the application. If you find an error after submitting the application, you must inform the consular officer about it during your interview.

Consular officers are very highly trained. They will review application forms carefully and will ask you questions during their assessment of your case. Applicants must demonstrate that they are qualified for the visa and that they will use the visa as prescribed by law. Officers may also consult additional resources and records, and they may ask you for additional documentation to support your application.

Truthfulness is not a guarantee of visa issuance, but deception may well permanently disqualify you.

You can find more information on visas on our website,