
How to Appeal a Visa Denial
- Look at the Letter Type. There are two types of visa denial letters no matter what type of visa you’ve applied for. A...
- Look at the Information Provided. The letter should clearly outline what you need to do to fix the problem. For example,...
- Correct the Issue. In most cases what you need to do is correct the issue or problem and demonstrate...
Can I get an US visa again after a denial?
You can apply for a visa again if you think you have new evidence that can prove that you will return from the USA. You cannot appeal the refusal but can apply for a fresh visa application and paying visa fees again. Can I reapply after 214b visa Refusal?
How to appeal a denied visa?
Your letter must have the following:
- Your complete name
- Birthdate and birthplace
- Passport number
- The date that the application was rejected
- Complete address and e-mail address
- Your signature (another person like a sponsor, agent or third party may sign, you need a Special Power of Attorney though)
Will my US visa application be denied?
If a consular officer finds you are not eligible to receive a visa under U.S. law, your visa application will be denied (refused), and you will be provided a reason for the denial. There are many reasons a visa applicant could be found ineligible for a visa. These reasons, called ineligibilities, are listed in the Immigration and Nationality ...
Can I complain to USCIS or appeal a denial?
If USCIS denies the naturalization application, persons can seek a USCIS hearing to appeal the denial by submitting form N-336 (informally known as an administrative appeal). Although the process is simple, many do not take advantage of this process.

Can we get US visa after rejection?
While you can't appeal the consular officer's decision, the good news is that the decision is not permanent and you can reapply for a visa at any time after your refusal.
What happens if your US visa is refused?
When your visa application is refused under section 221(g), you will be given a written letter notifying you of the visa refusal and will have 12 months from that date to submit the requested documents without having to reapply and without having to pay a new visa application fee.
How many times can we apply for US visa after rejection?
As per some immigrant department of certain countries, you cannot reapply immediately after your visa application was rejected was because the conditions due to which it was refused will not change overnight. Hence, you can only reapply in most cases six months after the refusal of your visa application.
Can you fight a visa denial?
In most situations, there is no appeal after a denial. If the law allows you to appeal, you can ask USCIS's Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) to look at your case and see whether the USCIS officer wrongly denied your green card. There will be a fee and a deadline for filing the appeal—don't miss it.
How can we avoid rejection of US visa?
Apply for the right study visa for USA Try to apply for your visa three months before your planned travel to the U.S. This will give you enough time in case there are delays at the embassy or wish to make an appeal in case your visa is denied.
How long does the US embassy keep a record of visa denials?
Paper DS-156 records are maintained for eleven years from the date of last action.
What is the difference between visa refusal and rejection?
Visa refusal means you did something wrong and that went on your permanent record, leading to visa refusal. While the visa rejection means something is missing from your application and you have to resubmit your paperwork. A denial letter and a refusal letter are interchangeable; however, a visa rejection is not.
What are the possible reasons for visa denial?
What Are the Reasons for Visa Rejection and Refusal?Incomplete Application and Data Mismatch. ... Violating Visa Rules and Documentation Process. ... Incomplete Travel Itinerary. ... Inapplicable Travel Insurance for Specific Destinations. ... Insufficient Reason Explaining the Intent of Travel. ... Status of Your Passport.More items...
Do visa officers check social media?
Applicants must provide the social media accounts and usernames that they have used in the last five years. For example, they would need to provide this information for any Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts that they hold. However, they do not need to provide passwords for these accounts.
How long does it take to get visa after appeal?
What Happens After an Appeal? If your appeal is successful, the judge will send their determination to the relevant visa section who will then contact you. Determinations can take up to 4 weeks to reach the visa section and a further 8 weeks for the ruling to be processed.
How do you increase your chances of getting a US visa?
U.S. Tourist Visa: How to Make your Chances of Approval HigherEmployment. Having a job in your home country will not guarantee to have your visa issued. ... Family Obligation. ... Property and Personal Asset. ... Community Involvement. ... Travel History.
How do I win an immigration appeal?
If you want to win an immigration appeal, following these tips: Prepare a robust appellant's bundle. The documentation you provide should prove that you adhered to all the necessary personal immigration rules or that your circumstances are compassionate and compelling to warrant a visa. Get a robust legal ...
What is the difference between visa refusal and rejection?
Visa refusal means you did something wrong and that went on your permanent record, leading to visa refusal. While the visa rejection means something is missing from your application and you have to resubmit your paperwork. A denial letter and a refusal letter are interchangeable; however, a visa rejection is not.
Why would an embassy refuse a visa?
Your application may be rejected if you have been denied a visa into the country (or other countries) previously, or if you have a history of having overstayed in a country, or if you have performed activities that are not allowed under a particular visa category in the past, etc.
What to do if denied a visa for unlawful presence?
If you were denied a visa for unlawful presence, then you may seek a provisional waiver before you leave the U.S. to have your consular interview. This will shorten the amount of time that it takes. It also gives you confidence that you will qualify and receive the waiver.
What to do if your visa is denied?
If your immigrant visa has been denied, you can still appeal the decision. If you received a soft refusal, you’ll be asked for additional information, such as tax information, confirmation of a job offer, or proof of local employment. All you need to do in this situation is provide the extra information.
How to get a waiver of grounds of inadmissibility?
Complete an application. Some applicants for a nonimmigrant visa will have to complete Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility. You can download the form and its instructions from the USCIS website. [18]
How long does it take to get a visa reconsidered?
You can request reconsideration of an immigrant visa application within one year after being refused. You do not have to complete a new application or pay another fee. However, if you wait more than a year, then you will. Reconsideration is not available if your nonimmigrant visa application was rejected.
How to get a waiver for a visa?
Consult with an attorney. You will increase your chances of obtaining a waiver if you work with a qualified immigration attorney. The attorney can help you draft any necessary documents and can work with the consulate to clarify why you were denied a visa.
How to know if you are eligible for a waiver?
Identify if a waiver is available. Waivers are available only for certain people, depending on why you were found ineligible. You should read your denial letter, which will tell you if you are eligible to apply for a waiver.
How to file a denial of a hard denial?
Hire a lawyer. If you receive a hard denial, then you will need to present either a Motion to Reconsider or a Motion to Reopen in order to proceed. A motion is a professional document, and you will need a lawyer’s help to draft it. You should move quickly. You typically must file this motion within 30 days of the denial. [4]
Look at the Letter Type
There are two types of visa denial letters no matter what type of visa you’ve applied for.
Look at the Information Provided
The letter should clearly outline what you need to do to fix the problem.
Correct the Issue
In most cases what you need to do is correct the issue or problem and demonstrate that you’ve done so, either by providing more evidence as requested or helping to build the case for why you meet the requirements of the visa you’re asking for.
Consult an Immigration Attorney
You vastly increase your chances of successfully appealing your visa denial if you work with an immgration attorney to correct the issues. If you haven’t started your visa application yet then working with an attorney is the best way to make sure that your efforts are successful.
Employment & Investment Visas
Although it often comes with controversy, immigration into the United States has always played a major role in the strength of its economy. Perhaps no one understands this more than the residents of Philadelphia, where the Liberty Bell still welcomes foreigners to one of the richest historical communities of our country.
Family Visas
Not knowing or understanding the system and laws of the U.S. can be a disadvantage for many foreign immigrants who wish to obtain permanent residency in the United States, either for themselves or for their loved ones.
Deportation Defense
Are you afraid of deportation? If you are a foreign national involved in the beginning stages of removal proceedings, the deportation attorney at Hykel Law in Philadelphia can help prevent this unfortunate situation.
How do I appeal a visa refusal?
There is no right of appeal for nonimmigrant visa decisions. You can re-apply if you want. There is no restriction on number of time you can re-apply. Each time you must go though the complete process including paying the fee.
What happens if a visa is rejected?
If the visa is rejected there is no refund of the visa application fee. The applicant cannot appeal against Nonimmigrant visa decisions. The applicant can reapply.
What does it mean when a visa is on hold?
This means that the case has to undergo further administrative processing or additional documents are required to provide essential information about the case.
What does the interviewing officer look into when interviewing an applicant?
Are the applicants professionally active in their home country? If so, the interviewing officer looks into their nature of work and income.
How long does it take to get a visa in the US?
The usual processing time is 60 days from the date of interview or submission of documents. You can check the status of your case on the website of the Consulate or Embassy where you were interviewed
Can an interviewer deny a visa?
The interviewing officer may deny you the visa after your interview. Such cases come under section 214 (b). If the applicants fail to demonstrate their social, familial, and economic ties to their home country the visa can be denied because the officer will assess the applicant as a potential permanent immigrant.
How frustrating is it to get a visa denied?
Having a visa application denied can be frustrating. You go through weeks – even months – of work. You pay your visa application fee. You get visa photographs taken. Then, at the end of the process, you’re left with a rejected U.S. visa application. You need to go through the entire process again if you want to visit the United States.
What does it mean when a visa is denied?
If your visa is denied under Section 221 (g) of the Immigration & Nationality Act, then it means the applicant failed to present a complete application with all necessary information, or that certain supporting documentation was missing.
Why is my visa denied?
U.S. consular and embassy officers have the sole discretion to approve or deny your visa. If a visa applicant has a criminal record, then the application may be denied. Other common reasons for U.S. visa ineligibility include: Incomplete application or supporting documentation. Visa qualifications and immigrant intent.
Why is my visa application fee non refundable?
The reason the fee is non-refundable is simple: it costs the United States the same amount of money to process a rejected application as it does to process an accepted application. Your paperwork still needs to be processed and your interview still needs to take place. That’s why you don’t get a refund on your U.S. visa application fee.
Why is my visa application rejected?
The most common reason why a U.S. visa application is rejected is because of incomplete information or documentation. You may have failed to complete a section of the application, for example. Or, the documentation you provided was inadequate.
What does it mean when you are rejected under public charge?
A rejection under Public Charge means that the consular or embassy officer decided that you were very likely to become dependent on the U.S. government for your existence or financial support once in the United States.
How to reapply for a visa?
In this case, you may be able to re-apply for a visa by submitting an Affidavit of Support from a qualifying sponsor. An Affidavit of Support is a document signed by a relative or friend in the United States. That friend or relative – who must be a U.S. resident – signs a document guaranteeing financial responsibility for you. The document may include bank statements, payslips, and other evidence that the U.S. resident can financially support the individual.
How to appeal a visa denial?
In order to be able to appeal a visa denial, you must firstly make sure that the country you wish to visit offers such an opportunity to those rejected. Usually, when you get the response on your visa application decision, in case you are rejected you will get the reason why and whether you can appeal this decision or not.
What happens if you appeal a visa?
Upon the submission of your visa refusal appeal letter, the embassy will pass it on to the right appeal processing body of that country. A higher-ranked officer responsible for dealing with visa appeals will look at your letter and take a decision on whether your visa application refusal shall be reversed or not.
What Is an Appeal Letter for Visa Refusal?
In order to appeal the negative decision taken in your case, you will have to write an Appeal Letter for Visa Refusal.
How to write a letter to a visa applicant?
Here you should present yourself as well as the reason why you are writing the letter. Include your full name, home address, place and date of birth and passport number. After clearing up the reason for writing the letter, mention the date when you applied for the visa and why you wish to visit this particular country.
How does a visa application work?
The candidate has to collect the required documents, attend an interview and pay the fee among others, in order to be able to get a visa to their destination country.
What should an appeal letter be?
How you write the appeal letter is very important. Your letter should be argumentative and convincing. Do not rather write an emotional one, in hope that you will touch the heart of the official that will deal with your file. It will not work!
Is an appeal letter legit?
However, there are some general rules that you need to follow, in order for your letter to be legit.
Why is a visa denied?
immigration and visa law guidelines , a visa must be denied if the applicant cannot establish his or her eligibility, either because the application does not meet the requirements of an established visa category, or because there are grounds for ineligibility based on other aspects of the visa case.
How to overcome a visa refusal?
Some visa refusals can be overcome by the furnishing additional information by applicant information that establishes an applicant's eligibility for the visa.If you believe you have more information and evidence that can help visa officer to make the decision in your favor, you should reapply for the visa with all the information and supporting documents.
Why are the visa interviews so short? I was refused after only a couple of questions and the interviewer hardly looked at my documents?
Keep in mind, much of the necessary information required to make a decision is already supplied on the application form itself, so there is usually no need for the officer to ask more than a few additional questions.
What are consular ties?
Such ties may include business, employment, family, property or other connections which satisfy a consular officer that the applicant will leave the United States voluntarily after a temporary visit. For example, you may bring a letter from your current employer, on letterhead, with your position/job title, length of employment, and monthly salary and your three most recent month's bank statements.
What do consular officers focus on?
Consular officers tend to focus on factors that help us determine whether the applicants possess compelling ties to applicant's home country:
What is a visa officer?
Visa officers are required to evaluate the applicants overall situation in reaching a decision. Statement indicating that the applicant intends to return to home country are helpful, but under the requirements of U.S. law the statement alone is not adequate to show that they qualify for a visa.
What is a refusal letter?
Generally you should get a refusal letter; this will explain the reason why we are unable to issue you with a visa and provide information on the procedures you should follow.
How to avoid visa denials?
Prepare for Your Visa Interview. The best way to prevent visa denials is to do your research before you apply. You should know the specific requirements for your visa type, to ensure that you meet those requirements. You should also take the time to thoroughly prepare for your interview, so that you do not unintentionally say something ...
What happens if you get denied a visa?
If your visa is denied, it does not have to be the end of your journey. You can always reapply. In fact, some individuals are approved on their second (or even third!) application. Again, make sure you do your research. Understanding the reason for your denial is the first step in having it overturned.
How many questions are asked in a visa interview?
Your actual interview will likely be very short—usually around five questions. But if your answers do not match the documentation you submit, or what you wrote on your DS-160, you will need a good explanation. Otherwise, you face the possibility of a visa denial.
What is an F-1 visa?
F-1 visas are for individuals planning to pursue a degree at a college or university in the United States . This is a non-immigrant visa, meaning that the individual is required to prove that they have every intention of returning to their home country when they complete their studies.
Do visa denials happen?
Visa denials do happen. In fact, they are increasing in frequency. In previous years, you might have gotten a “request for evidence” (RFE) if the government needed more information to process your visa. But these days—with understaffed immigration offices and a growing backlog of applications—it is more likely that your visa application will simply ...
