Embassy of the United States of America Consular Section Visa Department.
Bureau of Consular Affairs US Department of State Visa Refusals Rachel Peterson Visa Services...
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Transcript of Bureau of Consular Affairs US Department of State Visa Refusals Rachel Peterson Visa Services...
Bureau of Consular Affairs US Department of State
Visa Refusals
Rachel PetersonVisa Services
Bureau of Consular Affairs
A Consular Officer Considers…• Qualification under the law based on the specific
visa type• Each case on its own merits• Presumption of Immigrant Intent (as applicable by
visa type)o 214(b)
• Fraud considerations, review, if applicable• Ensures applicant has no ineligibilities or must have
DHS (Department of Homeland Security) waiver
Visa Denials NIV IV
Category One Refusals - Serious
• National Security, Criminal, Contagious Disease
• INA 212(a)
Category Two Refusals - Less serious• Most common: Section 214(b) of the INA N/Ao Immigrant Intento Residence Abroad
• Frequent: 221(g) denial o Information not sufficient to establish visa eligibility o Additional documentation may be required
Visa Denials - Additional Information• Applicants told reason for denial orally and in writing immediately – no one left not knowing • All denials reviewed by supervisory officer
• No visa denial appeal process - Consular Officers have sole authority by law
• The Visa Office in DC reviews advisory opinions only regarding interpretation of law, not facts
Contacting Us – U.S. Embassy or Consulate
N IV C hief IV C hief C itiz e n S e rvices
C o n s u la r S ec tio n C h ie f
D C M
A m b a s s a d or
Your first point of contact - the U.S. embassy or consulate where the applicant applied
(http://travel.state.gov/congress)
Useful InformationFirst contact the embassy/consulate where
the applicant applied(http://travel.state.gov/congress)
Helpful Hints• Include:
oVisa applicant’s full name (as appears in PPT), DOB, city/country of birth, and PPT number, and date of last interview
oCongressional Contact Information• Send an email instead of a letter
oQuicker than a letter
Contacting Us - the Visa Office
P a sspo rt S erv ices
F ie ld S u pp o rt & L ia ison L e g isla tio n , R e g & A dv iso ry Public & Diplom atic Liaison
Visa Services O ve rsea s C it ize n s S e rv ices
A ss is tan t S e cre ta ry fo r C on su la r A ffa irs
U /S fo r M a na g e m e nt
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Public Inquiries Division
Where to Find InformationOur websites - http://travel.state.gov
http://travel.state.gov/congress
Inquiries from Congressional Staff -• Congressional Inquiries: (202) 663-1516
[email protected]• National Visa Center: (603) 334-0828
[email protected]• For complicated cases: [email protected]
Inquiries from the Public - • Public Inquiries: (202) 663-1225• National Visa Center: (603) 334-0700
Other websites: USCIS http://uscis.gov , CBP http://cbp.gov)