Four Nepalis Arrested for Submitting Forged Educational Certificates for Diversity Visa Purposes

Four individuals were arrested for submitting forged educational certificates to the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu for Diversity Visa (DV) purposes. The arrests were made in coordination with the American Embassy, and the police have publicized the details of the case.

The individuals arrested include Goma Pandey (32) from Lalitpur Mahalakshmi Municipality-8, currently residing in Mahalakshmi-4 Imadol; Anil Kumar Mahato (28) from Sarlahi Lalbandi Municipality-10, currently residing in Mahalakshmi-5 Tikathali; Gopal Prasad Ghimire (50) from Jhapa Arjundhara Municipality-8, currently residing in Imadol of Lalitpur; and Subas Dhakal (43) from Sankhuwasabha Khandwari Municipality-9, currently residing in Bhaktapur Madhyapurthimi Municipality-5.

Superintendent of Police Kajikumar Acharya from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office Teku stated that the arrests were made based on information that the suspects had submitted forged SEE and Plus Two certificates to the American Embassy in Nepal. Following their arrest near the American Embassy, the suspects were sent to the district police complex Bhadrakali for further action related to the crime of document forgery.

Submitting fraudulent documents to the U.S. Embassy for visa purposes can have severe consequences. Individuals caught engaging in such activities may face visa denial and a potential lifetime ban from entering the United States. Submitting fake documents by DV winners is not uncommon in Nepal. Previously, several other individuals were also arrested for similar offenses.

Recently, the U.S. Embassy in India issued a fraud alert against fake documents in visa applications. The U.S. Embassy emphasized that presenting fraudulent documents during the visa interview can lead to serious repercussions, including visa denial and potential bans on future travel to the United States.

Nicole Holler, Acting Spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in India, stated: “Using fake documents not only jeopardizes your chances of getting a visa but also undermines the trust and integrity of the visa process.”

The Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program requires the principal DV applicant to have a high school education, or its equivalent, or two years of qualifying work experience as defined under provisions of U.S. law,” the U.S. Department of State — Bureau of Consular Affairs website reads.

“If you do not have either the required education or qualifying work experience, you are not eligible for a diversity visa. (Only you, as the principal applicant, must meet this requirement. Your spouse and children do not have to meet this requirement.) You should consider not pursuing a DV application if you do not meet the qualifying education or work experience requirements explained below, as you may not be eligible for a diversity visa and any fees you pay for the visa application will not be refunded,” the Department of State further clarifies.

According to the Department of State, a high school education means successful completion of a formal course of elementary and secondary education comparable to a 12-year course in the United States. Only formal courses of study meet this requirement; equivalency certificates (such as the G.E.D.) are not acceptable.

If you are qualifying with work experience, you must have two years of experience in the last five years, in an occupation which, by U.S. Department of Labor definitions, requires at least two years of training or experience that is designated as Job Zone 4 or 5, classified in a Specific Vocational Preparation (SVP) rating of 7.0 or higher, according to the Department of State.

For the fiscal year 2024, a total of 3,863 Nepalis were selected as DV winners, making Nepal third in Asia for the highest number of DV selections, following Iran (5,777) and Afghanistan (4,536). Of these, 2,505 Nepalis have received diversity visas to the United States as of July, with 272 visas issued that month. While the number of visas issued in August has not yet been announced, Nepali winners of the 2024 Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery have until the end of September to obtain their visas.

A total of 3,861 Nepalis were selected in the DV Lottery for the next fiscal year 2025, starting on October 1. Nepal ranks third in Asia for the number of DV selections for fiscal year 2025 as well, following Iran (5,267) and Afghanistan (4,009). In other regions, Uzbekistan leads in Europe with 5,564 winners, followed by Turkey (4,194) and Ukraine (4,002). In South America, Cuba has 2,348 winners, while in Africa, Algeria (5,526), Egypt (5,515), Sudan (5,505), and Kenya (4,459) lead the list.