One certificate, a 100-year ban: The heavy price of US visa fraud
With official long-term entry bans for fraudulent documents, visa refusals for wealthy applicants with strong credentials and automated bots exploiting a shortage of consular appointment slots, obtaining a Western visa has become far more challenging for Kazakhstanis than it once was.
As demand has surged, an entire industry of visa consulting services has emerged to help applicants navigate the increasingly complex process.
Aigerim Valiyeva, founder of Okey Visa, told Kursiv.media how the business works, why wealth and professional status no longer impress many visa officers, and how a simple social media post evolved into a successful company.
From helping friends to running a business
Valiyeva said she initially handled visa applications for herself, family members and friends because she was familiar with the process. The idea of turning that experience into a business came in 2022 while she was on maternity leave.
«A childhood friend suggested it was time to monetize my skills. She posted a message on Instagram saying, ‘Aigerim will help prepare visa documents for 10,000 to 15,000 tenge.’ My inbox was immediately flooded with requests. The market was just recovering from the pandemic, demand was extremely high, and I realized that if you work honestly and provide better service than competitors, you’ll always have clients.»
Schengen visas dominate demand
Today, about 80% of the agency’s business involves applications for Schengen visas, with France, Italy, Spain, Hungary and the Czech Republic generating the highest demand.
The remaining 20% consists primarily of applications for the U.S., the U.K., Canada and Japan.
According to Valiyeva, the greatest challenge during the summer travel season is securing an appointment to submit visa applications.
She said available appointment slots at many European visa centers are quickly claimed by automated software, or bots, creating an artificial shortage.
«People are willing to pay enormous premiums simply to secure an appointment for an urgent application. Some market participants are taking full advantage of this shortage and earning substantial profits from these services.»
No agency can guarantee approval
Valiyeva emphasized that no visa agency can guarantee a visa, regardless of the fee charged.
«The final decision always belongs to the consular officer,» she said, adding that visa decisions can sometimes surprise even experienced consultants.
She described obtaining a U.S. visa as particularly unpredictable.
Unlike Schengen countries, which generally focus on applicants’ financial stability and documentation, U.S. consular officers place greater emphasis on the risk that applicants may overstay their visas or immigrate permanently.
«We had what seemed like an ideal applicant — a successful businessman with projects in Switzerland, a large family, children and numerous previous trips to the U.S. Logically, there appeared to be no reason for a refusal. But the consular officer still said no. Visa officers consider many factors that applicants and consultants simply cannot see.»
Changing circumstances can make a difference
Valiyeva also recalled a case in which an applicant who had been denied a U.S. visa four or five times was eventually approved after his personal circumstances changed.
According to her, the client had married, expanded his business and later reapplied after his wife was admitted to a U.S. educational program.
«The consular officers saw that his circumstances had changed dramatically. His application no longer appeared suspiciously polished, and the purpose of his trip was straightforward and easy to understand.»
Fraud can carry severe consequences
According to Valiyeva, one of the biggest mistakes applicants make is attempting to strengthen their applications with false information.
She said some applicants purchase fake employment certificates, submit fabricated hotel reservations or fail to disclose previous visa refusals.
«Trying to outsmart a consulate is the worst mistake you can make. Any deception can permanently damage your visa history.»
She added that some Kazakhstani citizens have received official long-term entry bans after submitting forged documents.
Such penalties can effectively prevent future travel not only to the U.S. but also complicate visa applications for many other countries that share immigration information.
Building a strong visa history takes time
Rather than looking for shortcuts, Valiyeva recommends building a credible travel history over time.
She advises applicants to maintain stable employment, pay taxes, demonstrate legitimate income, begin with destinations that have less restrictive visa policies and comply with immigration rules during every trip.
For many Kazakhstani citizens, lengthy wait times and a rigorous screening process remain major obstacles to obtaining a U.S. visa. Appointment availability varies between U.S. diplomatic missions in Kazakhstan. In Almaty, the average wait time for a visa interview is about 45 days, while applicants in Astana typically wait up to 90 days.
Consular officers generally make a visa decision on the day of the interview. If the application is approved, the applicant’s passport with the visa is usually returned within two to five business days. If the visa is denied, the passport is typically returned immediately after the interview. The standard nonimmigrant visa application fee for Kazakhstani citizens is $185.
