Visa Denials: How to avoid it and what to do if your Visa is denied?

By: Submissions

When it comes to visa stories, there are as many success stories out there as there are sob stories. It is even safe to say that the sob stories exceed the success stories these days. And they continue to grow by the day.

In fact, according to a recent survey conducted on U.S. immigration history, it has been established that the United States alone denies nearly 4 million visa applications every year for a variety of reasons. And like that wasn’t enough; under the administration of Donald Trump, the denial rate has jumped from 8.3% to 11.3 percent in the last few years, a 37% jump in rejection rate.

What does this then tell you? That people are getting their visa applications denied almost every day! As disheartening as that may sound, it is just the truth.

But what can one do when their visa is denied? Some people often wonder. Do I just throw my hands in the air and lick my wounds? Or is there still a last play left to be made?

Read on to find out whether there is something you can do when your visa is denied.

How to avoid visa denial

Before we go into the discussion of what you can do when your visa is denied, it is first important to highlight the things you can do to avoid denial in the first place. After all, if you’re well-equipped to navigate the visa process in the first place, you won’t need any help on how to reverse a denial.

Research the visa opportunities available to you

First and foremost, what type of visa do you seek? A type 1, type 2, type 3, or type 4 visa? More often than not, visas are rejected because the reasons for which the applicant wants to use them aren’t convincing enough.

For starters, type #1 visas are meant for people looking to travel for pleasure or tourism reasons, type #2 are made for those looking to travel for immigration and neutralization reasons, type #3 are meant for students, and type #4 are reserved for people looking to travel for business or work purposes.

However, it is important to know that depending on your country of destination; there can be other visa opportunities available to you. For starters, there can be a modification of any of the four basic types of visas available depending on the immigration system of the country. Take the United States, for instance. Besides these basic visa types, the country also offers another type of visa known as the ESTA visa, a travel permit that is specially designed for citizens of some particular 38 countries. This visa allows people traveling from these countries to visit the US for a period of 90-days. Among them are the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, France, Chile, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Denmark, Belgium, Germany, Greece, and lots more.

So, researching the available opportunities and making the right choice, along with the right document preparations, can save your application from being denied.

Verify Your Information before applying

I know you might be tempted to visit immigration forums or ask your friend’s friend for information regarding visa applications, but these are the worst places you can go to for heads up. More often than not, many of the info they’ll give you will most likely mislead than help you. If you end up getting and using outdated or inaccurate information, you could jeopardize the outcome of your visa application—and maybe even your future, depending on what your travel ambitions are.

Check Your Social Media

For some types of visas now, applicants are asked to provide their social media histories (going back five years). As part of the new vetting initiative by the current administration, applicants are asked to tender their Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or any other relevant social media handle in the five years preceding their application. In what is meant to show the adjudicators what your social media life is like, this new measure is one of the basic requirements for some visas like student visas, and depending on the info found on your handles, your visa application can be denied or accepted.

What to do if your Visa is denied?

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. You will receive a notice stating the reason you were denied. The State Department provides a list of ineligibilities, so you can learn more about your specific reason for denial.

There may be steps you need to take before you can reapply if you are hoping to receive a different result. For example, make sure you provide any new documentation or additional evidence that is necessary to overcome the previous ineligibility. This could include financial records, property statements, or educational records, depending on the reason for denial.

Above all, never lie or misrepresent any information in your application, documentation, or interview. This will absolutely result in a visa denial. Plus, it could make you entirely ineligible to appeal or receive a visa in the future.

However, if you stay informed and follow the correct procedures and processes, you might soon be on your way to fulfilling your ambitions abroad.

By Uday Tank

© 2020 Copyright Uday Tank - All Rights Reserved

Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors.

© 2005-2022 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication.