Introduction
Visa denials

Immigration law delegates the responsibility for issuance or refusal of visas to consular officers overseas. If an applicant fails to establish that they are eligible for a visa, the respective consular officer may refuse the visa application.

• Consular officers overseas have the final say on all visa cases
• When a visa application is refused, the applicant will be provided with a refusal letter
• Applicant can influence the post to change a prior visa denial only through the presentation of new convincing evidence leading to a different determination of facts

Common reasons for denials
Visa denials

If the visa application is denied, the visa applicant is typically provided with a refusal letter explaining the reasons and options available to the applicant. Common reasons of visa ineligibility are listed below:

• Insufficient information to determine
• Prior violation of US immigration laws
• Does not qualify for the visa category
• Current and/or past actions, e.g., criminal activities
• Falls within the scope of one of the inadmissibility or ineligibility grounds of the law

Visa refusal letters
Visa denials

If denied a visa, applicants should receive a letter from the US embassy or consulate stating the reason for refusal.

• Section 212(e). Ineligible for a visa as per Section 212(a)
• Section 212(g). Does not comply with the related regulations
• Section 212(b). Immigrant intent, lack of strong ties, failed to sufficiently demonstrate that they qualify for the nonimmigrant visa category they applied for

NOTE: Some ineligibilities can be overcome, some are non-negotiable and permanent.

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