US Citizenship and Immigration Services has issued a warning about scams in which businesses and websites falsely promise expedited processing of visas, Green Cards, or work permits. In a post on X, USCIS said some of these operations pose as immigration experts claiming to have “special connections to the government,” then charge applicants a fee in exchange for a bogus guarantee of faster approval.
“IT’S A SCAM,” the agency stated bluntly, warning that such businesses sometimes pretend to be immigration experts or claim insider government ties, and may promise faster results for a fee. The advisory ties into USCIS’s broader Avoid Scams campaign, which urges applicants to rely only on official .gov resources and to report suspicious offers.
Where to get legitimate help
The Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review maintains a list of attorneys in each state who offer immigration services free or at low cost, along with a directory of accredited representatives and recognized organizations. The American Bar Association also offers resources for finding legal help by state.
Tips for filling out visa forms correctly
USCIS now allows many forms to be filed online and has shared guidance to help applicants avoid errors:
- Read the form instructions in full before starting.
- Forms can be downloaded, filled out electronically, and printed for mailing — but never mail a form that’s already been filed online, and don’t use the online system just to prepare a form for printing and mailing, as USCIS will reject it.
- Always use the current edition of a form when downloading it.
- Make sure the edition date and page numbers are visible on every printed page, and that all pages come from the same form edition — mismatched or missing pages can lead to rejection.
- Handwritten answers should be in black ink; typed responses should use Courier New, size 10, bold, and must be clearly legible for scanning.
- To fix a mistake, start over with a fresh form — don’t use correction fluid, tape, or highlighters, since these interfere with the agency’s scanners.
- Fill out the entire form unless told to skip certain sections; incomplete forms may be rejected.
- Sign in the designated space — unsigned or improperly signed forms will be rejected or denied. USCIS’s Policy Manual has more detail on signature requirements.
- Submit the correct fees, using the agency’s Fee Calculator on its Filing Fees page — forms with incorrect or missing fees will be rejected.
