Unlock Visa Hurdles - Common Reasons for Travel Visa Denials
- monica singh
- Mar 28, 2024
- 4 min read
Visa applicants have to be present in person for the US visitor visa interview at the US Embassy. The approval or denial of your visa is at the discretion of the consulate officer who will take your interview. Let us navigate the US visa rejection Reasons.

Incomplete Application or Supporting Documentation
If you are denied US tourist visa under section 221 (g), it states that the consular officer did not have the documents required to conclude you are eligible to receive a visa. Any blank columns in the application form or details not matching your passport or supporting documents will lead to the rejection of your visa.
Visa Qualifications and Immigrant Intent
While conducting visa interviews, consular officers look at each application individually and consider the applicants' circumstances, travel plans, financial resources, and ties outside of the United States that will ensure the applicants' departure after a temporary visit. If you are refused a visa under 214 b us visa rejection, it demonstrates that you have strong ties to your home country that will compel you to leave the United States at the end of your temporary stay.
Public Charge
A visa refusal, or ineligibility, under section 212 (a) means that the consular officer determined that you may become a public charge in the United States. Nonimmigrants must demonstrate sufficient financial support during their temporary stay in the United States. Immigrant visa applicants must submit an Affidavit of Support from the US sponsors who filed petitions for them.
Fraud and Misrepresentation
Misrepresentation means that you falsely presented facts and were not truthful in an attempt to receive a visa or enter the United States. You were refused or found ineligible for a visa under section 212 (a) (6) (C) (i) because you attempted to receive a visa or enter the United States by willfully misrepresenting a material fact or committing fraud. Chances of US visa approval after rejection in this case are rare.
Unlawful Presence in the United States
Unlawful presence in the United States means that you stayed after the expiration date for the period authorized by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) without the required authorization to extend your stay.
It is one of the American visa rejection reasons. The embassy may doubt your intention to visit as they fear that you may overstay the visa again.
When denied a visa for unlawful presence, you are ineligible for a visa for the following length of time:
When unlawfully present in the United States for 180 days or longer but less than one year, you are ineligible for a visa for three years after departure from the United States.
When unlawfully present in the United States for one year or longer, you are ineligible for a visa for ten years after departure from the United States.
Ineligibility Waivers
The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) allows applicants who were refused a visa for a particular ineligibility to apply for a waiver. If approved, the applicant might obtain a US visa. However, it is up to the Department of Homeland Security to decide whether to approve a waiver for each visa applicant. Emiratis can easily apply for a US visa interview from Dubai.
Each applicant is informed about their ineligibility and whether they can apply for a waiver at the time their visa is refused. The consular officer will also give directions on how to apply for a waiver. In general, to get the waiver approved, the applicant must fulfil the following conditions:
Having an ineligibility for which there is a waiver.
Having only one particular ineligibility, which will be fully qualified for the visa.
Applicants for migrant visas should ensure the waiver applies particularly to their situation.
Other Ineligibilities
Health-related grounds
The following categories of people having health-related issues are ineligible to obtain a visa to the US.
An applicant who is determined to have a communicable disease of public health significance,
An applicant who has a physical or mental disorder and behaviour associated with the disorder that may pose, or has posed, a threat to the property, safety, or welfare of self or others, and which behaviour is likely to happen again or to lead to other harmful behaviour
An applicant with a history of addiction or drug abuse.
Go through the US business visa FAQ that will help you to achieve a successful visa application.
Criminal and related grounds
Any foreigner who has ever been committed to criminal activity, murder, drug trafficking, human trafficking, genocide, money laundering, etc., is considered ineligible to enter the United States.
Security and related grounds
If the authorities suspect that the applicant is trying to get to the US to perform illegal activities such as violating the law, trying to control or overthrow the government or involve in terrorist activities, the visa application will be refused.
Visa Fee Refunding
Applying for US visa after denial is possible. The applicant will not be refunded for the application fees they paid if their request for a visa to enter the US is refused. In case of reapplication, they will have to pay the application fees.
Applicants must note that in case of ineligibility during the first application, you can re-apply for a visa if your circumstances have changed. You will have to wait six months after your visa application is rejected because the conditions due to which it was refused will not change overnight. Visit the official website for US tourist visa new updates.
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