- The US Citizenship and Immigration Services issued a public warning about fraudsters claiming to offer faster visa approvals in exchange for payment
- The agency outlined specific red flags, including promises of 'guaranteed' approvals and claims of special government connections
- Anyone seeking professional help should only engage qualified attorneys or representatives accredited by the US Department of Justice
Elijah Ntongai is an experienced editor at TUKO.co.ke, with more than four years in financial, business, labour and technology research and reporting. His work provides valuable insights into Kenyan, African, and global trends.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has put visa applicants on alert, warning them to be wary of individuals and businesses claiming they can fast-track immigration applications for a fee.
Source: Getty Images
In a post shared on X, the agency stated,
"Sometimes businesses and websites pretend to be immigration experts or say they have special connections to the government. They might also 'guarantee' that you can get a visa, green card, or work permit faster if you pay a fee."
The warning is particularly relevant for Kenyan applicants, many of whom have paid large sums to unscrupulous agents for fake documents or services that do not exist.
"We recognise that the immigration process can be complex and that applicants, petitioners, and requestors are at risk of becoming victims of scams or fraud. We encourage you to use the information on this webpage to help safeguard your information and avoid becoming a victim," USCIS said.
How Immigration Scams Work
USCIS outlined the methods commonly used by fraudsters.
These include deliberately complicating the immigration process to confuse applicants, impersonating government officials, and using social media, email, and phone calls to manipulate victims into handing over personal information or money.
The agency stressed that no private individual or organisation can guarantee a specific immigration outcome or speed up processing simply by claiming to have government contacts.
Applicants are not required to use a representative and may file forms independently.
Anyone seeking professional help should only engage qualified attorneys or representatives accredited by the US Department of Justice.
"You do not need a representative to file forms with USCIS. You may file forms by yourself and represent yourself before USCIS. If you choose to have a representative, make sure the person helping you is an attorney or an accredited representative working for a Department of Justice-recognised organisation. Only attorneys or accredited representatives (or certain law students or law graduates working under their supervision) are authorised to represent you on immigration matters before USCIS,” USCIS added.
Key warning signs include emails not ending in .gov, requests to transfer money to an individual rather than through an official myUSCIS account, pressure to pay for expedited processing, and promises of quick approvals.
How to Stay Protected
USCIS advised applicants to verify all information through official government websites, secure written agreements for any legal services, and retain copies of all immigration forms.
The agency maintains a dedicated resource at uscis.gov/avoid-scams where applicants can learn to identify common fraud schemes.
Applicants who use fraudulent agents risk losing their money and permanently compromising their chances of obtaining a US visa.
Kenyan woman urges Green Card winners to prepare carefully
In other news on TUKO.co.ke, Terry Clarice, a Kenyan woman living in the United States, warned Green Card Lottery winners against making costly mistakes before completing the immigration process.
In a TikTok video shared on October 19, 2026, she cautioned applicants against selling land or other valuable property prematurely, noting that selection does not guarantee successful relocation.
Clarice also urged winners to secure essential personal and children’s documents, including school certificates, early to avoid delays and complications during the application process.
She advised applicants to prepare from the time they first enter the lottery rather than waiting until receiving further communication, as the immigration process can be lengthy and demanding.
Source: TUKO.co.ke