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)
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