How the student will spend the coming years, and sometimes how his life will turn out, depends on obtaining a visa to the United States. Embassies annually refuse hundreds of thousands of students, so it is important to pay attention to basic rules that will increase the chances of obtaining a visa. Let's consider the most common reasons for refusing a visa to students wishing to study in the United States.
TOP 10 most obvious reasons to refuse a candidate
Country of origin
Country of origin is the first factor affecting visa issuance. A citizen of a stable and developed country usually does not have any questions about obtaining a visa, and the situation is different for residents of Afghanistan, Congo or Uzbekistan. In this case, it is important for the candidate to prove that he has a family and a promising job at home.
Connections
How strong connections a candidate has is primarily determined by his parents. A person from a developing country will be asked about the income of his parents, and if the candidate's father is a laborer (conditionally), then the chances of getting a visa are reduced. The consul will give preference to residents of megalopolises, as well as candidates who have visited European countries. Consuls often say openly - "Travel around Europe and grow to the United States." Applicants over the age of 20 are already viewed with a grain of salt - it is considered that at this age it is too late to start traveling, and there is little or no professional experience.
Unsuccessful interview
A student has only 2-3 minutes for an interview, during which you need to make a good impression on the consul, before that, having stood for 3-4 hours in queues. These 2-3 minutes are a crucial moment: although the consul should not evaluate your English, he will still take into account a weak speaking skill. Behavior is no less important - passivity, inability to show interest in a conversation, sloppy clothes, poor self-presentation, nervousness - everything is taken into account.
Insufficient funds or incorrectly documented certificate of financial solvency
The candidate must assure the consuls that he has sufficient funds for at least one year of study. The auditors have a wide experience of work, they often encounter fraud, so any mistake in the documents will be perceived as an attempt to hide important information. The main reasons for refusal related to financial solvency are:
- sponsoring parents in low-paid professions
- bank statement showing the transfer of $ 50,000 to your account two days before the interview.
If your education was paid for by relatives or friends, additional questions will arise - how close is your relationship and how strong is their intention to sponsor you?
Visa denial history
Refusal of a visa is not a 100% verdict, but still a "black mark". For example, if you were refused when you were going to a friend's wedding because of “lack of close ties with your homeland,” then there is a risk that for this reason they will be refused again. There must be some time between the rejection and the new application, otherwise the commissioner will decide that you are struggling to get to America.
Change of status in the USA
Summer Work Travel members often choose to stay in the US beyond the scheduled time limit and enroll in schools. To do this, they change the status of their location, without thinking about the consequences. In this case, students are considered non-returning students - a weighty fact of refusal.
Waiver under section 221 (g)
The refusal is temporary in nature, but with possible permanent consequences. Due to delays in the decision of the consuls, the student sooner or later begins to look for other options for work or study. Often, students from China and Russia, students of the STEM program, who are suspected of spying on another territory, fall under the article. If the decision under the article is delayed, it is recommended to file a lawsuit.
Visa consultants / travel agents / notaries
The listed specialists receive remuneration upon issuance of a visa and are often willing to go to great lengths to get the client to receive it, up to the issuance of forged documents. In this case, the student may not be aware of the machinations, but he will have to pay. It's not even about a one-time refusal, but about a complete ban on entry into the country.
Other problems with documents
Students who have forgotten their documents (TOEFL or GRE , certificate of enrollment with a scholarship or statements from the sponsor's account) may receive a full or temporary refusal.
Having relatives in the United States
Does a student have relatives in America is a very common interview question. In the questionnaire, it is necessary to indicate not only relatives, but also friends, and hiding facts will be considered their distortion. A “bad” reputation among those candidates whose siblings remained in the US after the Summer Work Travel program. If your relative is studying in America, the consul may decide that one family member is enough.
