Navigating the complex U.S. immigration process can be daunting. Today, we will talk about what you should do if your visitor visa is refused.
LaToya McBean Pompy is an immigration lawyer who immigrated to the United States from Jamaica. Her experience sparked an interest in helping many families be together in the U.S. by founding McBean Law. If you need help with your or a loved one’s visa, contact us here or call us today at (888)-462-4006 to schedule a private consultation with LaToya and her team of New York immigration lawyers who are here to help you.
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What To Do If Your B-1/B-2 Visa Gets Denied
See this topic on our YouTube channel – B1/B2 Tourist Visa Refused. What You Must Do Next!
Visitor visas are nonimmigrant visas for people entering the United States on a temporary basis for business (B-1 visa) or tourism (B-2 visa), or a combination of both purposes (B-1/B-2).
The B-1 visa does not cover employment on U.S. soil, it merely refers to attending conventions or conferences related to your work, negotiating a contract, settling an estate, and/or consulting with business associates. For more information on permissions granted by these visa types, see the U.S. Department of State’s official travel website.
Now, denials for these types of visas happen every day to large numbers of people. They’ve been refused a visa to come here, to visit or to vacation here, or to even get medical treatment and care here in the U.S.
Getting this refusal can feel painful and may cause worry, making you wonder what you could do moving forward. There are a few things you should consider in order to determine the best course of action.
Why Was Your Visa Denied?
When we ask this question, you may say “Well, I was asked some very basic questions, maybe two or three questions, and it was over just like that, and I couldn’t believe it. I was refused, and I don’t even know why.” – This happens to a lot of people.
The number one reason why someone’s visa gets denied is because the officer is not convinced that you are going to return home. They have some indication that your intention is to stay in the U.S. So, they refuse you because they think you don’t have strong enough ties to your home country, and it is your job to prove that this is not the case.
Background Issues
Another reason why someone’s visitor visa may get refused is their background.
You may have raised a red flag when answering the officer’s questions. For example, if they ask who you’re visiting and you say that a close relative, such as a child or a spouse, lives in the United States, that may set off an alarm. The officer will think that you intend to stay in the U.S. permanently with your family.
It could be something on your visa application that triggers this alarm as well. Maybe you have a criminal record, or a history of immigration violations such as overstay or fraud.
What Can You Do?
Now, let’s talk about what you can do if you’ve been refused of the visa.
- Determine Your Intention – Get crystal clear about your purpose of the visit. Why are you coming to the U.S.? What are you planning on doing? How long do you plan on staying? When are you going back?
- Provide Evidence of Intention – Gather the paperwork to show proof that this is what you intend on doing in the U.S. on a temporary basis.
- Prove Temporary Nature – You have to prove that the nature of your visit is temporary and you plan on going back to your country of origin once the purpose of the visit has been fulfilled.
- Provide Evidence of Home Ties – You must prove that you have strong ties to your country of origin. Do you have family back home? Do you have to show up for work on a specific date? Show the officer that you have responsibilities back home and you intend on fulfilling those responsibilities.
Lastly, contact an experienced immigration lawyer for help, especially if your problem is a serious one, if the refusal is based on a section of our law that is serious, such as fraud or misrepresentation, unlawful presence, etc.
Planning Your Roadmap to Success
Whether you are seeking assistance with visa applications, green cards, citizenship, or any other immigration matter, we are here to help you every step of the way. Our mission is not just to provide legal services but to empower our clients with the knowledge and resources they need to achieve their immigration goals. With proper legal counsel, persistent preparation, and meticulous attention to detail, your success can become reality too. Partner with professionals like McBean Law to chart your visa journey’s triumph.
If you are interested in more topics like this, please consider subscribing to our newsletter to get weekly updates on immigration news, relevant topics, and more! You can also find us on YouTube where we do weekly Q&A sessions.
LaToya McBean Pompy is an immigration lawyer who immigrated to the United States from Jamaica. Her experience sparked an interest in helping many families be together in the U.S. by founding McBean Law. If you need help with your or a loved one’s visa, contact us here or call us today at (888)-462-4006 to schedule a private consultation with LaToya and her team of New York immigration lawyers who are here to help you.
