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U.S. law generally requires visa applicants to be interviewed by a consular officer at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. After relevant information is reviewed, the application is approved or denied, based on standards established in U.S. law.

While the vast majority of visa applications are approved, U.S. law sets out many standards under which a visa application may be denied. An application may be denied because the consular officer does not have all of the information required to determine if the applicant is eligible to receive a visa, because the applicant does not qualify for the visa category for which he or she applied, or because the information reviewed indicates the applicant falls within the scope of one of the inadmissibility or ineligibility grounds of the law. An applicant’s current and/or past actions, such as drug or criminal activities, as examples, may make the applicant ineligible for a visa.

If denied a visa, in most cases the applicant is notified of the section of law which applies. Visa applicants are also advised by the consular officer if they may apply for a waiver of their ineligibility. Several of the most common reasons for visa ineligibilities are explained below. For more information, review the  visa ineligibilities  in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

How does a visa applicant qualify for a visa?

You, as a visa applicant, qualify for a visa by being eligible under all applicable U.S. laws for the visa category for which you are applying. During your visa interview, the consular officer at the U.S Embassy or Consulate will determine if you are qualified for the type of visa for which you are applying.

The sole authority to approve or deny (called adjudicate) visa applications, under U.S. immigration law  section 104(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act , is given to consular officers at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

What does being found ineligible mean?

If a consular officer finds you are not eligible to receive a visa under U.S. law, your visa application will be denied (refused), and you will be provided a reason for the denial. There are many reasons a visa applicant could be found ineligible for a visa. These reasons, called ineligibilities, are listed in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and other immigration laws. Some ineligibilities can be overcome, either by you, the visa applicant, or the U.S. petitioner, in certain immigrant visa cases. Other ineligibilities are permanent. This means that every time you apply for a visa, you will be found ineligible under the same section of law, unless a waiver of that ineligibility is authorized by the Department of Homeland Security. Learn about  waivers of ineligibility .

Here are some examples of visa ineligibilities, with INA references, which are explained further below.

The visa applicant:

• Did not fully complete the visa application and/or provide all required supporting documentation - INA section 221(g)
• Did not establish eligibility for the visa category being applied for or overcome the presumption of being an intending immigrant - INA section 214(b)
• Was convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude - INA section 212(a)(2)(A)(i)(I)
• Was convicted of a drug violation - INA section 212(a)(2)(A)(i)(II)
• Has two or more criminal convictions for which the total sentence of confinement was 5 years or more - INA section 212(a)(2)(B)
• Did not provide an adequate affidavit of support when one was required; therefore denied under public charge - INA section 212(a)(4)
• Misrepresented a material fact or committed fraud to attempt to receive a visa – INA section 212(a)(6)(C)(i)
• Previously remained longer than authorized in the United States - INA section 212(a)(9)(B)(i)

For a complete list of all visa ineligibilities contained in the Immigration and Nationality Act, see  Ineligibilities and Waivers: Laws .

I was found ineligible for a visa. Can I get my money back?

No. The fee that you paid is a non-refundable application processing fee.

Can I reapply for a visa?

After being found ineligible for a visa, you may reapply in the future. If you reapply for a visa after being found ineligible, with the exception of 221(g) refusals, you must submit a new visa application and pay the visa application fee again. If you were found ineligible under section 214(b) of the INA, you should be able to present evidence of significant changes in circumstances since your last application. See more information below under  INA section 214(b) .

Can a friend or relative inquire about my denied visa application?

Department of State visa case records are confidential under INA section 222(f), so information can only be provided to visa applicants, with some exceptions. Certain information can be provided to U.S. sponsors, attorneys representing visa applicants, members of Congress, or other persons acting on behalf of and with the permission of applicants.

INA Section 221(g) - Incomplete Application or Supporting Documentation

What does a visa denial under INA section 221(g) mean?

A visa denial under section  221(g) of the INA  means that the consular officer did not have all of the information required to conclude you are eligible to receive a visa. This means you are not eligible for the visa now, for one of two reasons:

• Your application is incomplete and/or further documentation is required -  Applicants whose application forms or other documentation are incomplete are refused. If further documents are required to complete your case, you will be informed what is needed and how to provide it to the embassy or consulate. You will also be given a letter stating your application has been denied under 221(g) and listing which documents you need to provide.
• Administrative processing -  The consular officer could not conclude you were elegible for the visa sought and additional administrative processing of your application is required. You will be given a letter stating this; the embassy or consulate will contact you when the administrative processing is complete.

Is there something I can do about a refusal under section 221(g)?

If your application was denied because documentation or information is missing, you can provide the missing documents or information as soon as possible. After submitting the documentation, your visa application can then be re-assessed to determine whether you qualify for a visa. You have one year from the date you were refused a visa to submit the additional information. Otherwise, if you do not provide the required additional information within one year, you must reapply for the visa and pay another application fee.

If your application requires further administrative processing, this takes additional time after your interview. Processing times can vary based on individual circumstances. For more information, review  Administrative Processing .

INA Section 214(b) - Visa Qualifications and Immigrant Intent

What does a visa denial under INA section 214(b) mean?

This law applies only to nonimmigrant visa categories. If you are refused a visa under  section 214(b) , it means that you:

• Did not sufficiently demonstrate to the consular officer that you qualify for the nonimmigrant visa category you applied for; and/or
• Did not overcome the presumption of immigrant intent, required by law, by sufficiently demonstrating that you have strong ties to your home country that will compel you to leave the United States at the end of your temporary stay. (H-1B and L visa applicants, along with their spouse and any minor children, are excluded from this requirement.) 

What are considered strong ties to my home country?

Ties are the various aspects of your life that bind you to your home country. Strong ties vary from country to country, city to city, and person to person, but examples include:

• Your home; and/or
• Your relationships with family and friends.

While conducting visa interviews, consular officers look at each application individually and consider the applicant's circumstances, travel plans, financial resources, and ties outside of the United States that will ensure the applicant’s departure after a temporary visit.

Is a refusal under section 214(b) permanent?

No. A refusal, or ineligibility, under section 214(b) is for that specific application, so once a case is closed, the consular section cannot take any further action. There is no appeal process. If you feel there is additional information that should be considered related to the visa decision, or there are significant changes in your circumstances since your last application, you may reapply for a visa. To reapply, you must complete a new application form, pay the application fee, and schedule an appointment for a new interview. Review the  website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate  where you plan to reapply to learn about any reapplication procedures.

INA Section 212(a)(4) - Public Charge

Why was I refused under INA section 212(a)(4)?  What is meant by “public charge”?

A visa refusal, or ineligibility, under section  212(a)(4) of the INA  means that the consular officer determined that you are likely to become a public charge in the United States.

Is a refusal under section 212(a)(4) permanent?

A refusal, or ineligibility, under section 212(a)(4) can be overcome in certain circumstances, as explained below.

Immigrants -  Most immigrant visa applicants are required to submit an Affidavit of Support from the U.S. sponsors who filed petitions for them. If your U.S. sponsor does not meet the requirements of the Affidavit of Support, you may present a second Affidavit of Support from a qualifying joint sponsor. Learn more about the  Affidavit of Support .

Some categories of immigrant visa applicants are not required to have Affidavits of Support. These are categories where no U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident relative filed a petition on your behalf, including most employment-based immigrants and diversity visa (DV) applicants.

If you are applying for an immigrant visa category where the Affidavit of Support Form is not required, the following are examples of how you could demonstrate to the consular officer that you will have financial support in the United States:

• Your own personal funds;
• A job offer in the United States; and/or
• Sponsorship from a U.S. resident.

Examples of sponsorship from a U.S. resident include:

• A letter from the U.S. resident stating financial support of you while in the United States;
• Documents showing that the U.S. resident can financially support you, such as tax transcripts, bank statements or pay stubs; and/or
• An Affidavit of Support (Form I-134).

The consular officer will review the additional evidence of financial support you submit to determine whether it is sufficient to overcome your ineligibility under section 212(a)(4).

Nonimmigrants -  You must demonstrate sufficient financial support during your temporary stay in the United States. Public charge denials are less frequent for nonimmigrant visa applications, but can occur, for example, in the case of a visa applicant seeking medical treatment in the United States without adequate funds to pay for treatment. Learn more about applying for a visitor visa for  medical treatment .

In order to overcome a denial for public charge reasons, you must demonstrate you will have sufficient financial support in the United States. The consular officer will review the additional evidence you submit to determine whether it is sufficient to overcome your ineligibility under section 212(a)(4).

INA Section 212(a)(6)(C)(i) - Fraud and Misrepresentation

What does a denial under INA section 212(a)(6)(C)(i) mean?

You were refused, or found ineligible, for a visa under  section 212(a)(6)(C)(i)  because you attempted to receive a visa or enter the United States by willfully misrepresenting a material fact or committing fraud. This is a permanent ineligibility, so every time you apply for a visa, you will be found ineligible for this reason.

You will be advised by the consular officer if you can apply for a waiver of this ineligibility. Review  Waivers of Ineligibility  for more information.

What is meant by misrepresentation of a material fact?

Misrepresentation means that you falsely presented facts and were not truthful in an attempt to receive a visa or enter the United States. A fact is considered material, as it pertains to this section of the INA, when, had the truth been known, you would not have been eligible to receive a visa or enter the United States.

INA Section 212(a)(9)(B)(i) - Unlawful Presence in the United States

What does a denial under INA section 212(a)(9)(B)(i) mean?

You were refused, or found ineligible for, a visa under  section 212(a)(9)(B)(i)  because you were considered to have been unlawfully present in the United States, if:

• You stayed in the United States after the expiration date for the period of stay authorized by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for you, without the required authorization to extend your stay; or
• You entered and were present in the United States without receiving the required authorization from CBP.

When denied a visa for unlawful presence, you are ineligible for a visa for the following length of time:

• When unlawfully present in the United States for 180 days or longer but less than one year, you are ineligible for a visa for 3 years after departure from the United States; or
• When unlawfully present in the United States for one year or longer, you are ineligible for a visa for 10 years after departure from the United States. 

List of Ineligibilities

This webpage discusses some of the more common visa ineligibilities. For a complete list of visa ineligibilities and more information from the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), and amended laws, review  Ineligibilities and Waivers: Laws  on this site.

Waivers of Ineligibility

What is a waiver?

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) contains provisions that may allow a visa applicant who was denied a visa for a particular ineligibility to apply for a waiver of that ineligibility. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) adjudicates all waivers of ineligibility. Waivers are discretionary, meaning that there are no guarantees that DHS will approve a waiver for you. If the waiver is approved, you may be issued a visa.

Can every applicant who is ineligible apply for a waiver?

No. If you are found ineligible for a visa, the consular officer will inform you if can apply for a waiver of ineligibility. The following factors will determine if you may apply for a waiver:

• Whether a waiver of ineligibility is available for the particular section of law you are ineligible under;
• You must be fully qualified for the visa you applied for, except for that specific ineligibility, in order to be able to apply for the waiver;
• If you are applying for a nonimmigrant visa, generally whether the consular officer who found you ineligible recommends to DHS that you receive a waiver; and
• If you are applying for an immigrant visa, whether a waiver is available for your particular situation. (For example, for certain visa ineligibilities when applying for an immigrant visa, you can only apply for a waiver if you have a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or parent who would endure extreme hardship if you were not able to immigrate.)

How do I apply for a waiver?

If you can apply for a waiver, the consular officer at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you applied will inform you how to apply.

Immigrant Visa and K Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants - If you can apply for a waiver, you must mail  Form I-601 , Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility, directly to a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Lockbox facility, with few exceptions. Learn more on the  USCIS  website.

Further Questions

I was found ineligible for a visa, and I have further questions. Who should I contact?

You should contact the  U.S. Embassy or Consulate  where you applied.

More Information

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7 Common US Visitor Visa Refusal Reasons (& How To Avoid Them)

Excitement bubbles inside you as you eagerly wait in front of the visa officer, answering the questions. All the hope is to catch a glimpse of that shiny slip that says, your US visa has been approved!

But things always don’t go as planned!

You answer all the questions, and wait for the result, only to find a dreaded mark of disappointment—a slip that says your visa has been refused.

Nothing can be more frustrating than this. 

If your dreams have been caught in a whirlwind for a US visa and tossed aside, leaving you frustrated then this article is for you.

So, how can I avoid US visa rejection?

There are many reasons for visitor visa refusals. The good news is most of them can easily be avoided with careful preparation and visa processing from the beginning.

7 Common US Visitor Visa Refusal Reasons 

US Visitor visas, also known as B1-B2 visas can be applied by anyone with a valid passport/travel document. But that doesn’t mean everyone who applies will get the visa approved.

A US visitor or B1/B2 visa is never guaranteed. However, you can become the strongest candidate by learning the refusal reasons and proper preparation to avoid them.

So, why are US tourist visas rejected?

• Incomplete or Incorrect DS160 Document
• Unable to Show Logical Purpose of Visit
• Failure to show No Strong Ties to the Home Country
• Poor Communication Skills / Lack of Confident
• Focusing/Disregarding the Invitation Letter
• Previous Visa Violations records
• Criminal History or Fraud

Reason #01: Incomplete or Incorrect DS160 Document

The most common reason for US visitor visa refusal is an incomplete or incorrect DS160 form. The Visa officer will reject your visa if your DS160 form is incomplete, in terms of providing information.

The visa officer will see this visa form in front of them while interviewing you. So what information you provide in the form is important.

Also, your visa will be rejected if the information provided during the interview doesn’t match the documents.

Though the US visa officers don’t see the documents, rather, they solely focus on the interview. You should still carry all your documents and proof in the interview. 

For instance, carry the papers if you use your investment or property for financial proof. Otherwise, the visa officer can deny your visa.

Reason #02: Unable to Show Logical Purpose of Visit

Every applicant faces a common question during the visa interview – what is your purpose of visit the US?

Getting the B1/B2 visa largely depends on the answer to this question.

Unfortunately, most applicants reply too casually regarding the visit purpose. You must avoid answering like the below:

• I planned to travel in the future, so I decided to apply for the nonimmigrant visa
• I want to explore the countryside of the USA
• I planned to stay with one of my cousins, but the details are not finalized yet

When you reply to the question above, be sure you will not get the B1/B2 visa. Instead, you have to be more precise. The purpose of the visit has to be valid. Some valid reasons are:

• Visiting family, children, or other family members
• Joining a meeting or training from your company
• Attending a conference
• Joining a sports event
• In a relationship/engaged/married

Also, make sure your work profile supports the purpose of the visit. Moreover, documents, the DS160 form, and financial status should be relevant to the trip’s purpose. And always try to explain the visa officer about your positive highlights of life in detail.

• Solution: Prepare to answer a logical purpose for visiting the US. 

Reason #03: No Strong Ties to the Home Country

Your B1/B2 visa will be refused if you don’t have strong ties to your home country. It means you will most likely not return to your home country.

Wondering how the visa officer understood it? 

Well, your DS160 form & interview will give about your ties to the visa officer. An officer will closely look at the DS160 to understand your family situation. They also might ask you questions directly regarding your family members. If they find the ties to your home country are insufficient, they will reject your visa.

Three kinds of ties are there, including,

• Family: You are the only earning person in your family. So, your family is dependent on you.
• Career: You have a steady or stable job/business.
• Investments: You have already invested in business, lands, or property.
• Solution: Adding as many ties to your DS160 form with proof would always be best. The more ties you show, the higher the chance of getting the visa.

Reason #04: Poor Communication Skills / Less Confident

Are you confident that you filled out the DS160 correctly?

Are all the relevant documents available?

Can you provide enough valid reasons for the trip?

You need to explain these questions to the visa officer. Great communication skills are a must in order to be able to explain your situation. Simultaneously, you have to be confident with your answers.

Also – you should be polite during the interview. Don’t answer with a loud voice. Make sure the visa officer understands your answer clearly. Avoid feeling nervous and have eye contact with the embassy officer.

If you couldn’t understand the question of the visa officer, request them to repeat it. Politely reply. “I am sorry. Would you please repeat that for me?” Visa officers are extremely friendly, and they will repeat the question indeed.

• Solution: “Practice makes a man perfect” – this proverb will greatly benefit this case. Say your answers with logical explanations in front of the mirror before the interview.

Reason #05: Disregarding the Importance of the Invitation Letter

The invitation letter is a crucial document for a B1 visa. The organization or company you are meeting provides this letter. The invitation letter has to have the below 2 vital features.

• The Letter Must be On the US Entity Letterhead

You can’t carry an invitation letter that doesn’t have the letterhead of the US entity. The invitation letter must have the paper of the US entity. The US entity can now be your organization, company, or client.

• The invitation Letter Must Contain a Precise Explanation of the purpose of the Trip

Most of the time, companies, organizations, or clients provide the invitation letter. Unfortunately, they tend to be too generic, mentioning the visit’s purpose. They show purposes such as “attending training/conference” or “business meeting.”

Such invitation letters are most likely to be refused by the visa officer. It would always be best to be as detailed as possible.

• Solution: Ensure the reason for your trip mentioned in the invitation letter matches your answer in the visa interview is crucial.  Also, your invitation letter must contain the below information,
• Details of the accommodation
• Information of sponsorship
• Dates of your trip

If you are going for the purpose of visiting friends or family members, or just for tourist activities, an invitation letter is not mandatory, nor you should bring one. So don’t focus on the invitation letter too much if it’s a personal visit.

Reason #06: Earlier Visa Violations Records

Did you apply for a visit visa earlier and it was denied? 

If yes, your new US visitor visa application will be carefully checked for what’s changed in since your last refusal.

You can ask any consultant or expert about your previous refusal and what might be the possible reasons. 

This way, you can prepare yourself better for the future. Also, avoiding earlier mistakes becomes convenient.

Reason #07: Criminal History or Fraud

You can be ineligible for a US visitor visa due to your criminal record and the crime type. Although, all crimes can’t make you ineligible. But a criminal record will make it difficult for you to overcome the visa interview process.

Also, visa refusal can happen if the embassy officer discovers visa fraud. Your visa will be refused if your documents show that you provide fraudulent information.

• Solution: If you’ve any criminal records, better avoid trying for a US visa. And if everything is ok, prepare the documents in a way that shows you don’t belong to this category.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Will visa refusal affect future visa applications?

Unfortunately, yes. Your previous refusal will affect all your future refusals. If you have one, be prepared to face the interview really well, focus on your positive highlights, and mention to visa officers your career, travel history, immovable assets, and family ties.

If my visa is rejected can I apply again?

Yes, you can. But after a certain time when there are circumstantial changes.

Final Words

The best way to get visa approval for a US visitor visa is – to prepare yourself for the visa process.  You will easily find resources on the visa interview and process on our site (& Youtube channel). 

US Visa Photo Requirements in Bangladesh: Specification & Guide

How much bank balance do you need for us visitor visa, 2 thoughts on “7 common us visitor visa refusal reasons (& how to avoid them)”.

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What happens if your visa application is rejected

Find out what to do if your visa is denied, and learn if you are eligible for a waiver of grounds of inadmissibility.

When you interview for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate, a consular officer decides if they will accept or deny your application. If they deny your application, you have the right to ask:

• Why your visa application was denied
• If you are eligible for a waiver on the grounds of inadmissibility (if the waiver is approved, you may be issued a visa)

Learn more from the Department of State about visa denials , including:

• How to qualify for a visa
• Reasons you might be ineligible for a visa
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LAST UPDATED: December 8, 2023

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Top 10 Common Reasons for Travel Visa Denial

Learn common reasons your travel visa might be denied and how to avoid them, feb 22, 2023.

It can be nerve-wracking to apply for a U.S. travel visa when you aren’t sure what to expect! It’s always at the discretion of the U.S. government to either approve or deny your travel visa, and it’s an unfortunate reality that denials do happen.

Before you apply for your travel visa, here are some common mistakes people make during the travel visa process that may lead to a denial. Familiarizing yourself with these denial reasons now can help you avoid them down the road.

• Errors on Your Form DS-160

The first step in the B-1/B-2 travel visa process is completing Form DS-160 (the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application). It’s important to answer each question truthfully and accurately, to avoid a denial based on incomplete information or misrepresentation. If you do make a mistake or forget to answer a question on your form, don’t panic! Read Boundless’ guide on how to edit your DS-160 after submitting it online.

• Applying From a Third Country

Generally speaking, it is more difficult to apply for a travel visa when you’re not living in your home country. Denial rates are higher on average for those applying from a “third country” , but it is still possible to overcome this during the application process and receive an approval. Boundless put together a guide with helpful tips on how to apply for a third country here .

• Applying From a Country With High Denial Rates

Some countries have higher travel visa denial rates on average than others. Although it can be difficult to avoid a denial when applying from a high-risk country, putting together the strongest application possible and gathering additional evidence to support your case is likely to help. Check out these tips for travel visa approval .

• Failing to Make a Clear Travel Itinerary

Your visa application is more likely to be denied if you do not present the U.S. government with a clear and detailed itinerary for your trip to the U.S. Visa officers want to understand your reason for traveling to the U.S., where you will be staying during your trip, and for how long. Failure to provide this information could result in a denial, so make sure to gather your travel details before applying!

• Financial Issues

Another common reason for travel visa denial is failing to show you can support yourself financially during your time in the U.S. The government will want to confirm that you have enough funds to cover all expenses related to your trip, including airfare, accommodations, and any other costs that may arise when you travel. You can avoid a denial based on a lack of financial evidence by gathering strong supporting documents , such as pay stubs, proof of assets, and more.

• Failing to Prove Strong Ties to Home

Another important aspect of the travel visa process is proving strong ties to your home country, and being able to demonstrate to visa officers that you intend to use the visa for its intended purpose: temporary, short-term tourism. If you’re not able to convince the visa officer in question that you will return home when your visa expires, you’re more likely to be denied. Read up on how to prove strong ties to your home country so you can apply with confidence.

• Previous Visa Denial

If you’ve been denied for another U.S. visa in the past, it may increase your chances of being denied again for a travel visa. After receiving a denial, it’s best to request clarification from the visa officer on the reason for the denial, so that you can better prepare in the future and avoid previous mistakes if possible.

• Prior Immigration Violations

Similar to a prior visa denial, prior immigration violations may also put you at a higher risk for travel visa denial. For example, if you overstayed a temporary visa in the past, such as a student visa or another travel visa, visa officers may assume that you will violate your new travel visa if approved. Be sure to learn more about visa overstays and other common immigration violations such as “unlawful presence,” so you can know what to expect for future applications.

• Being Unprepared for the Visa Interview

Every applicant is expected to attend a visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or consulate as the last step in the travel visa process, and there’s no denying this can be stressful and intimidating! Failing to show up for your interview on time, being unable to answer the interviewing officer’s questions, or misrepresenting yourself during the interview can all lead to a visa denial. We’ve put together a helpful guide to demystify the travel visa interview so you can prepare well ahead of time. You can even practice for your interview with this list of sample travel visa interview questions .

• Criminal History

Having a criminal record may make you inadmissible for a U.S. tourist visa, depending on the type of crime committed. Not all crimes automatically result in inadmissibility, but it can be more difficult to overcome a criminal history during the application process. Depending on your specific situation, you may be eligible to apply for a “Waiver of Inadmissibility,”  which could increase your chances of travel visa approval. In this case, it’s best to speak with an immigration attorney to discuss your options.

Applying for a B-1/B-2 visa is never a guarantee, but Boundless can help you file the strongest application possible. Our software assesses your risk of travel visa denial based on your specific situation and our experienced team helps you avoid common mistakes. Get started today!

Not sure how to get started? Get a visa consultation with Boundless.

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6 Common US Tourist Visa Denial Reasons

Due to the increased focus on immigration in the US, the visa application process has become more stringent. Therefore, even a well-prepared application can be denied because of seemingly minor mistakes. In this article, we’ll explore 6 common US tourist visa denial reasons , along with some tips to help you avoid them.

6 US tourist visa denial reasons you may not think of

1.  inconsistencies in your ds-160 form.

The DS-160 is an online application you’ll need to complete for your US tourist visa. It’s important for everyone applying, including children, to fill out their own form accurately. You’ll need to submit your completed DS-160 online before you can schedule an interview at the US consulate.

Some mistakes you should be aware of when filling out the DS-160 form:

• ● Inaccurate employment information: This includes mistakes about your job title, salary, or employer.
• ● Misrepresenting your personal relationships: Be honest about your family ties and any contacts you have in the US.
• ● Inconsistent travel history: Double-check the details of any previous trips abroad.

Accuracy is key! Inconsistent or misleading information on your DS-160 form can significantly reduce your chances of approval and even lead to rejection.

2.  Missing required documents

Applying for a US tourist visa involves submitting specific documents. While it can be easy to miss something unintentionally, forgetting key paperwork can delay your application. Here’s a checklist to make sure you have everything you need for your US tourist visa application:

Required documents:

• ● One recent passport-sized photo (5×5 cm)
• ● Valid passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the US.
• ● Completed DS-160 form
• ● Visa application fee payment receipt
• ● Visa interview appointment letter

Other necessary documents include:

• ● Documents substantiating your trip purpose
• ● Documents demonstrating your intention to depart from the US after your visit
• ● Documents showcasing your financial ability to pay for the trip

If your application gets held up or rejected, it could be due to missing or insufficient documentation from these categories. Don’t let missing paperwork slow you down! Double-check everything beforehand to make sure you have all the documents you need. Having all the right paperwork from the start will save you time and hassle.

3.  Discrepancies between your DS-160 form and your interview answers

The visa interview is your chance to elaborate on the information you provided in the DS-160 form. Make sure your answers align closely to avoid raising red flags for the visa officer. Be aware that inconsistencies between your DS-160 form and your interview can be a major reason for US tourist visa denial.

This inconsistency can be especially common when there are mistakes in the DS-160 form to begin with. While visa assistance agencies can be a helpful resource, be mindful of potential inconsistencies. Relying solely on an agency to complete your DS-160 form might lead to information gaps or minor inaccuracies.

It’s important to review the application thoroughly yourself to ensure everything aligns with your situation and that you’re prepared to answer any questions about the details you provided. The consular officer will be comparing your answers to the DS-160 form you submitted, so consistency is key to getting your visa approved.

The Consulate is more likely to approve US tourist visas when there’s clear consistency between an applicant’s interview responses and the information provided in the DS-160 form.

4.  Too short or too long responses

Feeling stressed during the interview? It’s easy to get flustered and give overly brief or long-winded answers.  However, visa officers appreciate clear, concise responses that directly address their questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification ! If a question seems unclear during the interview, politely ask the visa officer to rephrase it.

Maintaining a calm and professional demeanor throughout the interview will also make a positive impression. Take a moment to understand the question before answering. Maintaining good eye contact with the consular officer during your interview can be a plus. It demonstrates your confidence and attentiveness.

5.  Hesitant and uncertain responses

Applicants who’ve been through the process know how important it is to make a positive impression. If you appear unsure or hesitant in your responses, it could raise doubts about the legitimacy of your application. Visa officers are experienced interviewers who can assess your eligibility and suitability for a US tourist visa.

Hence, you should prepare for the interview thoroughly. Talking to friends or family who have been through the US tourist visa application process can be a helpful way to gain insights and prepare for what to expect.

Remember, confidence and composure are key to a successful interview. By preparing thoroughly, projecting confidence in your responses, and staying calm under pressure, you’ll make a positive impression on the visa officer and increase your chances of visa approval.

6.  Inappropriate clothes

Beyond the points mentioned above, making a good impression during your interview goes beyond just your answers.  Dressing appropriately for the occasion shows respect for the process and the consular officer. Professional attire is always a safe bet for your visa interview. Opt for neat, conservative clothing that conveys respect for the process.

Avoid overly casual or revealing outfits, and steer clear of anything too loud or attention-grabbing. Subtle makeup is appropriate, but avoid anything too distracting.

How long does it take to reapply for a US tourist visa?

If your application was previously denied, you might be wondering about your chances of reapplying. The good news is that reapplication is definitely an option! Carefully review the documents you submitted to see if there were any errors or inconsistencies. Additionally, consider if there’s new information that could strengthen your case.

Normally, it’s possible to reapply for a US tourist visa 3 – 6 months after your first visa rejection . If you’re in a hurry, you may try reapplying 2-3 weeks after your previous application was denied.

3 Tips to reapply for US visitor visas after your first rejection

It is crucial to reexamine your first visa application to improve your chances of success in your reapplication. Here are 3 practical tips to help you prepare a stronger visa application.

Boost your application with additional supporting documents

• ● Provide accurate personal information in the DS-160 form.
• ● Substantiate your trip purpose.
• ● Demonstrate strong ties to your home country.
• ● Improve your travel history.

Show confidence during your visa interview

• ● Thoroughly review all the information you have filled in your DS-160 form to make sure you provide consistent answers during your interview.
• ● Be relaxed and ready for your interview – presenting yourself in a confident manner helps you create a positive impression.

Certified Translation Services for Visa Application Documents

Having certified translations for your non-English documents is also a great way to increase your chance of visa approval. Providing certified translation of your documents demonstrates meticulous preparation, making it easier for the consular officer to examine your documents and ultimately increase your chance of obtaining the visa.

Read more about Differences between Certified Translation vs. Notarized Translation to avoid misunderstanding when finding translation services.

As a professional translation company, Thao & Co. is dedicated to providing high-quality translations performed by our expert linguists specializing in document translation for visa applications . Our expertise and professionalism guarantee to provide you with top-notch translation.

• ● 48-hour delivery for standard documents.
• ● Free Certificate of Translation Accuracy issued by Thao & Co.
• ● Hard copy and soft copy available upon request.
• ● Real-time project tracking via Thao & Co.’s proprietary platform.

Trust us to help you with professional certified document translations for your US tourist visa application. Ready to reapply? Leave your contact information on our Get A Quote page to receive a complimentary consultation!

Most Common Reason for Visa Denials (and How to Avoid This)

If you’re planning to apply for a visa to the United States, it’s important to understand the requirements and potential reasons for denial. In this blog post, we’ll be taking a closer look at one of the most common reasons why visa applications get denied and what you can do to help avoid it.

Non-immigrant Intent and Visa Denials

For many non-immigrant visas, including visitor visas, student visas, and some work visas, the applicant is required to have something called “non-immigrant intent.” This means that the applicant intends to return to their home country and does not plan to stay in the United States permanently.

However, if the consular officer conducting the visa interview is not convinced that the applicant has non-immigrant intent, the visa application may be denied under section 214(b). This section essentially means that the applicant did not sufficiently convince the immigration officer that they possessed non-immigrant intent. The consular officer may not be convinced that the applicant will return to their home country, or they may believe that the applicant plans to stay in the United States permanently.

How to Avoid a 214(b) Denial

The key to avoiding a 214(b) denial is to provide evidence of strong ties to your home country. This means demonstrating that you have reasons to return home, such as family, ongoing education, property, a business, a job, etc. By showing a link between yourself and your home country, you’re demonstrating that it is less likely that you would leave behind what you have in your home country and move to the United States permanently.

If you’re applying for a visitor visa in particular, it’s also important to show a definitive purpose for coming to the United States. This could be a medical procedure, attending a social event, visiting family or friends, going to a business conference, negotiating a contract, sightseeing, or other such permissible reasons. By having a specific purpose for your visit, and by showing concrete proof of that purpose, you’re showing the consular officer that you’re not planning on coming to the United States to remain here permanently. Instead, you’re coming for a limited duration and have strong incentives to return home.

Final Thoughts

Visa denials can be frustrating and stressful, but by understanding the requirements and potential reasons for denial, you can take proper steps to help avoid them. Showing strong ties to your home country and a definitive purpose for your visit are crucial for demonstrating non-immigrant intent and increasing your chances of visitor visa approval.

As always, it’s important to work with an experienced immigration lawyer who can guide you through the visa application process and help you avoid common pitfalls.

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Michael Ashoori, Esq.

President of ashoori law.

I’m a U.S. immigration lawyer and I help families, professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs get visas, green cards, and citizenship to the United States.

Since starting my law firm, I’ve helped thousands of people from all over the world with their immigration needs. I’m very passionate, hard-working, and committed to my clients.

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• Immigration

Appealing a U.S. Visa Denial: Step-by-Step Guide

To appeal a u.s. visa denial, individuals must submit a written request for reconsideration to the u.s. embassy or consulate. the request should include new evidence or documents supporting their case. it's important to appeal within the specific timeframe provided, and consult an immigration attorney for guidance throughout the process..

Quick Glance:

• Understanding visa denial reasons and options for appeal or reapplication can help you overcome a U.S. visa denial.
• Steps for appealing a U.S. visa denial include reviewing the denial letter, contacting the consular office, and providing additional information or documentation.
• Advisory opinions and administrative processing may provide further recourse after a U.S. visa denial. Seek legal assistance and consult official resources for guidance. Have you recently faced a U.S. visa denial? If so, don’t lose hope just yet. While getting your visa application rejected can be disheartening, it’s important to remember that there are steps you can take to appeal the decision. In this post, we will guide you through the process of appealing a U.S. visa denial in a straightforward, easy-to-understand manner, with useful tips and resources to help you along the way.

Understanding Visa Denial and the Right to Appeal

First and foremost, it’s crucial to understand why your visa was denied. The consular officer should provide you with a denial letter that cites the specific section of law under which your visa application was refused. Common reasons for denial include failure to provide sufficient evidence or ineligibility under U.S. immigration law .

It’s worth noting that not all visa refusals are permanent or without recourse. Some denials are due to a lack of information or documentation that you may be able to rectify. In cases where the denial is not due to a permanent ineligibility, you may have the option to appeal or reapply.

Steps to Appeal Your Visa Denial

An appeal process is not available for all types of visa denials, but here are general steps you can take if you believe an error was made:

Also of Interest:

H-1b visa amended petitions faq’s, can uscis track undisclosed fake social media profiles.

• Review the Denial Letter : Understand the reason for your denial and the section of the law referenced.
• Contact the Consular Office : Reach out to the embassy or consulate where you applied to inquire about the possibility of an appeal or to rectify the issue.
• Provide Additional Information or Documentation : If your denial was due to insufficient documentation, submit the requested documents as soon as possible.
• Reapply for the Visa : In some cases, reapplying for the visa with additional information is the best course of action.

Advisory Opinions

If you suspect that your visa was denied under an error of law or fact, you can request an advisory opinion from the Visa Office of the Department of State.

Administrative Processing

Sometimes, visa denial may be due to the need for further administrative processing. If this is the case, you’ll typically be given a timeline for when you can expect a decision.

Remember, it is essential always to be honest and avoid misrepresentation in your applications and during the appeal process, as this may lead to further complications and potential bans.

Reapplying After a Visa Denial

If reapplying is recommended or required, here are steps to follow:

• Address the reasons for denial cited in your previous application.
• Gather new or additional evidence that strengthens your application.
• Fill out all visa application forms accurately.
• Pay the visa application fee again, as fees from a denied application are non-refundable.
• Schedule an interview, if necessary, and attend with all the required documentation.

Legal Assistance

Seeking legal advice from an immigration attorney might be beneficial. They can offer guidance specific to your case and assist you in navigating the complex immigration system.

Resources for Guidance

For reliable information, always refer to official sources like the U.S. Department of State’s website or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website. These provide authoritative resources on visa applications and denials, as well as details about how to seek recourse in case of a denial.

Don’t Give Up After a Denial

A U.S. visa denial doesn’t have to be the end of the road. By understanding the reasons behind the denial and your rights to appeal or reapply, you stand a better chance of successfully obtaining your visa. Persistence and proper documentation can be key in overturning a visa denial.

In conclusion, while having your U.S. visa application denied can be a discouraging experience, remember that options may be available to you. Through carefully reviewing your denial, consulting with consular officers, providing additional information, and potentially reapplying, you will be taking proactive steps towards achieving your goal of obtaining a U.S. visa. Always rely on trustworthy resources and consider the support of a legal professional to guide you through the process.

Don’t fret if you’ve been hit with a visa denial! There’s hope yet! Our guide has given you the lowdown on appealing and reapplying for that U.S. visa. Just remember to review that denial letter, submit all the required docs, and stay persistent. For more insider tips and in-depth info, head over to visaverge.com. You’ve got this!

FAQ’s to know:

FAQ 1: What are the steps to appeal a U.S. visa denial?

To appeal a U.S. visa denial, follow these steps:

• Review the denial letter to understand the reason and section of the law referenced.
• Contact the embassy or consulate where you applied to inquire about the possibility of an appeal.
• Provide any additional information or documentation requested, especially if the denial was due to insufficient evidence.
• Consider reapplying for the visa with additional information if necessary.

Seeking legal advice and referring to official resources like the U.S. Department of State’s website or USCIS can provide further guidance in the appeal process.

FAQ 2: Can I request an advisory opinion if I suspect my U.S. visa was denied under an error of law or fact?

Yes, if you believe your U.S. visa was denied due to an error of law or fact, you can request an advisory opinion from the Visa Office of the Department of State. An advisory opinion provides a review of your case by legal experts to reassess the denial decision.

FAQ 3: What should I do when reapplying for a U.S. visa after a denial?

When reapplying for a U.S. visa after a denial, follow these steps:

• Address the reasons for denial mentioned in your previous application.
• Gather new or additional evidence to strengthen your case.
• Fill out visa application forms accurately.
• Schedule an interview, if required, and attend with all the necessary documentation.

Remember to be transparent and avoid misrepresentation during the application and appeal process. Consulting with an immigration attorney can be helpful in navigating the complexities of the immigration system and improving your chances of success when reapplying.

What did you learn? Answer below to know:

• True or False: Reapplying for a visa after a denial is always the best course of action.
• What are some common reasons for visa denial? a) Lack of information or documentation b) Overstaying in the U.S. on a previous visa c) Failure to provide sufficient evidence d) All of the above
• What should you do if you suspect your visa was denied under an error of law or fact? a) Request an advisory opinion from the Visa Office of the Department of State b) Contact the consular office for a refund c) Give up and accept the denial d) Reapply for the visa without any changes

Did you Know?

Did you know.

• In 1892, Ellis Island became the primary immigration processing center in the United States. Over 12 million immigrants passed through Ellis Island between 1892 and 1954, making it a symbol of hope and a gateway to the American Dream.
• According to the United Nations, there are currently over 272 million international migrants worldwide. This number has increased by 51 million since 2010, highlighting the ongoing trend of global migration.
• The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 changed the face of immigration in the United States by eliminating nationality-based quotas. This law prioritized family reunification and introduced a system that favors skilled immigrants and those with specific job offers.
• Canada has one of the highest immigration rates in the world. In recent years, approximately 300,000 immigrants have been admitted to Canada annually. This accounts for about 0.8% of the country’s population.
• The H-1B visa program in the United States, which allows skilled foreign workers to work temporarily in specialized occupations, is highly competitive. In 2021, the annual cap was set at 85,000 visas, but the number of applications typically far exceeds this limit. As a result, a lottery system is implemented to select the recipients of H-1B visas.
• Asylum seekers play a significant role in the immigration process. In 2019, there were over 3.5 million pending asylum cases worldwide. This highlights the complex challenges faced by individuals fleeing persecution and seeking safety in other countries.
• The United States is known for its diverse immigrant population, but did you know that roughly 1 in 4 people living in Australia were born overseas? Australia has a rich multicultural society, attracting immigrants from all corners of the globe.
• Immigrant entrepreneurs have made significant contributions to the economy. According to a report by the National Foundation for American Policy, more than half of the billion-dollar startup companies in the United States have at least one immigrant founder.
• Immigration can have a profound impact on language diversity. In New York City, over 800 languages are spoken, making it the most linguistically diverse city in the world. This linguistic mosaic reflects the diverse immigrant communities that have shaped the city’s history and culture.
• The Statue of Liberty, one of the most iconic symbols of the United States, was a gift from France to commemorate the alliance between the two countries during the American Revolution. The statue has come to represent freedom and opportunity for immigrants arriving in America.

Learn Today: Key Terms Explained

Glossary or Definitions

1. U.S. Visa: A U.S. visa is an endorsement placed on a foreign national’s passport, granting them permission to enter the United States for a specific purpose and period of time.

2. Visa Denial: A visa denial occurs when a consular officer refuses an individual’s application for a U.S. visa, citing specific reasons such as failure to provide sufficient evidence or ineligibility under U.S. immigration law.

3. Appeal: An appeal refers to the legal process by which an individual can challenge a visa denial decision. It involves reviewing the denial letter, contacting the consular office, and providing additional information or documentation to support the reconsideration of the visa application.

4. Reapplication: Reapplication refers to the act of submitting a new visa application after a previous application has been denied. It may involve addressing the reasons for denial mentioned in the previous application, gathering new evidence, and filling out visa application forms accurately.

5. Denial Letter: A denial letter is an official communication provided by the consular officer to the applicant, stating the reasons for the visa denial. It includes specific references to the section of law under which the visa application was refused.

6. Ineligibility: Ineligibility refers to the condition of not meeting the requirements or criteria set forth by U.S. immigration law for the issuance of a visa. It can be a reason for visa denial.

7. Advisory Opinion: An advisory opinion is a review of a visa denial decision conducted by legal experts at the Visa Office of the Department of State. It may be requested if an individual suspects that their visa was denied under an error of law or fact.

8. Administrative Processing: Administrative processing refers to additional review and investigation conducted by the consular office after a visa application has been denied. It may be required in certain cases and can result in a delay in the final decision.

9. Immigration Attorney: An immigration attorney is a legal professional who specializes in immigration law. They provide legal advice and representation to individuals navigating the immigration process and can assist in matters such as visa denials, appeals, and reapplications.

10. U.S. Department of State: The U.S. Department of State is the federal executive department responsible for the formulation and implementation of the United States’ foreign policy. It also oversees the visa process and provides official resources and guidelines for visa applications and denials.

11. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. USCIS administers the immigration and naturalization system of the United States and provides information, resources, and services related to immigration matters.

12. Misrepresentation: Misrepresentation refers to providing false information or withholding relevant details in visa applications or during the appeal process. It is strongly advised against, as it can lead to further complications, potential bans, and legal consequences.

13. Non-refundable: Non-refundable means that a fee paid for a visa application, in the case of a denial, is not eligible for a refund.

14. Transparency: Transparency refers to being open, honest, and forthcoming in providing accurate information and documentation during the visa application and appeal process. It is important to ensure the integrity of the immigration process and maintain credibility with the consular officers.

15. Consultation: Consultation involves seeking advice and guidance from legal professionals, specifically immigration attorneys, who can provide personalized assistance and expertise in navigating the complexities of the immigration system.

Note: Some terms in this content did not require additional definitions as they were already accessible and understandable to a general audience.

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U.S. Visa Denials: Common Reasons and How to Avoid Them

U.S Visa Denials: Common Reasons and How to Avoid Them.

Navigating the U.S. visa application process can be a daunting task for many travelers. Despite meticulous preparation, visa denials still occur, often leaving applicants confused and frustrated. Understanding the common reasons for these denials and how to avoid them can significantly enhance your chances of approval. Let’s explore these aspects in detail.

Understanding Visa Denials

Visa decisions are largely based on consular officers’ discretion, guided by U.S. immigration laws and policies. Under the principle of consular nonreviewability, these decisions are typically final, stressing the importance of submitting a well-prepared application. A visa denial not only affects your current travel plans but can also have implications for future applications.

214(b) Denial: Failure to Prove Non-Immigrant Intent

A 214(b) visa denial is one of the most common reasons for rejection, especially for non-immigrant visa categories. It occurs when an applicant fails to convince the consular officer of their intention to return to their home country after a temporary stay in the U.S. To avoid this:

– Demonstrate Strong Ties to your Home Country: Show evidence of employment, family, property, or other commitments that necessitate your return.

– Be Clear and Consistent: Provide a clear travel plan and stay consistent in your responses during the visa interview.

Public Charge Concerns

Addressing the financial aspect of visa applications :

Definition of Public Charge: Explain the public charge rule and how it can lead to visa denial.

Proving Financial Stability: Discuss the types of evidence that can be presented to demonstrate financial independence, such as bank statements or employment records.

Role of Sponsorship: If applicable, describe how a financial sponsor in the U.S. can help mitigate public charge concerns.

Inadmissibility Due to Fraud or Misrepresentation

Honesty is paramount in the visa application process. Any form of fraud or misrepresentation can lead to immediate denial and future ineligibility. To avoid this pitfall:

The severe consequences of dishonesty in visa applications :

– Consequences of Fraud: Outline how providing false information or misrepresenting facts can lead not only to visa denial but also to future ineligibility.

– Importance of Honesty: Emphasize the need for complete honesty in all aspects of the visa application and interview process.

– Handling Past Misrepresentations: Offer guidance on what to do if an applicant has previously provided false information in a visa application.

Documentation and Proof: Ensuring Completeness and Accuracy

Incomplete or inaccurate documentation is a common reason for visa denial. To enhance your application:

Necessary Documentation: List the types of documentation typically required for visa applications, including travel itineraries, employment letters, and financial statements.

Organizing Your Documents: Provide tips on how to organize documents logically and coherently for the application.

Updating and Verifying Information: Stress the importance of ensuring all documents are current, accurate, and verifiable.

Overcoming Previous Immigration Violations

Past violations of U.S. immigration law, such as overstays or illegal presence, can adversely affect your application. If this applies to you:

Addressing past issues to clear the path for a new application:

– Impact of Past Violations: Explain how previous overstays, illegal presence, or other immigration violations can impact current visa applications.

– Disclosure and Explanation: Discuss the importance of disclosing any past violations honestly and providing a clear explanation or context.

– Evidence of Change: Suggest ways to demonstrate changes in circumstances or compliance with immigration laws since the violation.

Preparing for the Visa Interview

The interview is a crucial component of the visa application process. To prepare effectively:

1. Understanding the Interview Purpose: Highlight the interview’s role in assessing eligibility and intent.

2. Anticipating Questions: Provide insight into common questions asked during visa interviews, focusing on travel plans, ties to the home country, and financial stability.

3. Presentation and Communication: Offer tips on how to present oneself effectively, communicate clearly, and demonstrate confidence and honesty.

Reapplication Strategies After a Denial

If your visa application is denied, it’s not the end of the road. When reapplying:

– Address Previous Denial Reasons: Make changes to your application to address the reasons for the previous denial.

– Wait Period: Consider waiting for a period before reapplying, especially if your circumstances have not significantly changed.

Seeking Professional Help

In complex cases, or after a denial, seeking advice from immigration lawyers or visa consultants can be beneficial. They can provide guidance tailored to your specific situation.

A U.S. visa denial can be disheartening, but understanding the common reasons for denial and how to address them can dramatically improve your chances in future applications. Approach your visa application with thorough preparation, honesty, and attention to detail. Remember, every visa application is a fresh opportunity to present your case convincingly. Happy traveling, and best of luck with your U.S. visa application !

Was this article helpful to you?

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DENIED USA VISA – 7 Most Common Reasons for US Visa Rejections

When applying for a visa, many of us get scared of getting rejected. There are many Denied USA Visa stories we hear from relatives or friends. If you want to avoid getting a “NO”, you might want to know common reasons for US Visa Rejections .

When you get a US Visa , you’ll get interviewed and get the decision afterward. It’s different than getting a Schengen Visa , Canada , or Japan visa as you’ll only submit documents. Getting interviewed is both a pro and a con. A PRO as you can explain your reason for going personally and a CON when you feel too nervous that your answers are all over the place.

• How To Fill Up the DS160 Form Online [USA Tourist Visa Application Form]
• USA B2 Tourist Visa Applications – 20 Consul Interview Questions You Could Be Asked and How Best to Answer Them
• Expired Australia Visa: What Happens If You Overstay in Australia?
• How to Get Your USA Travel History Online (Arrivals and Departures)
• No Bank Account – How To Apply for Tourist Visa Without Bank Statements

Here are the common reasons for visa rejection:

Table of Contents

1. Incomplete Application or Supporting Documents

Under the Immigration and Nationality Act under section 221g, if you have an incomplete application or documents, you may get denied. A letter will be given stating you are denied under 221(g) and a list of documents you need to submit. Provide them as soon as possible to know if you are indeed qualified for a visa.

You need to fill-up your DS-160 form completely and bring supporting documents during your interviews. It’s better to double-check your application before submitting it. Even though it’s not required, bring many supporting documents as you can because the consul may ask for it.

2. Wrong Visa Category

There are many visa categories if you are applying for a US Visa; whether immigrant or nonimmigrant. If you are there to visit your spouse (who is a permanent resident) and want to eventually live in the USA then you’ll need to get a V visa rather than a B-2 visa for tourism purposes.

Sometimes, the consul officers will ask you questions related to your purpose to the US, and if it’s found out that the reason in your interview and the application are not the same, then you’ll get denied.

3. Immigrant Intent

Under section 214(b) of the INA, you may get denied if you have not provided strong ties to your home country. This is one common reason for US Visa Rejections. If the consul thinks you will stay rather than leave the US, chances of approval are small.

You’ll need to prove deep ties to your country by showing you have a job or a business to return to, a home, or relationships with family or friends. Consuls will also look at your travel plans, financial resources, and properties to ensure that you will indeed depart the US after your visit. There are many illegal immigrants in their country, they don’t want you to be another one.

4. Inadequate Financial Support

Another common reason for US Visa rejections is not enough funds for your visit. The US government does not want a visitor who will be dependent on them for financial support a.k.a a Public Charge.

This is particularly common for under immigrant visas as you need to have enough money, a job offer in the US, or sponsorship from a resident. Imagine living in the US as a bum, you are ending up as a liability rather than an asset.

As for nonimmigrants, this is particularly checked for those who visit due to medical treatment. For example, your treatment there costs thousands of dollars, but you don’t have enough money. Rather than ending up in debt in the US, you’ll get denied.

P.S. You don’t need to be a millionaire to visit the US; if you have money for the tickets plus maybe USD 200 a day, you could enjoy a vacation there. Some even pass the interview without showing their Bank Documents!

5. Fraud or Misrepresentation

If you are found to be falsely presenting facts to the US to receive a visa, then you might be permanently ineligible. This means you will get denied every time you apply as you misrepresented or committed fraud.

This may include not stating you have committed criminal offenses on your application or have infectious diseases. Anybody that also presents fake passports or documents may even get rejected if you are found out by the consul. Avoid this by being honest on your application as well as the interview.

6. Bad Travel History

If you have overstayed or not followed the provisions of your previous visa (working on a tourist visa), may get denied. Those who have stayed for more than 180 days are banned for 3 years. For those who overstayed in one year or more are banned for 10 years. Stays in other countries may be considered too.

To avoid getting a US Visa Rejection because of this, you need to follow the rules of the country you are in. Don’t go beyond your authorized date of stay, too. You can check your travel history or how many days you have left in the US, online.

7. Inconsistencies

Inconsistent answers during the interview with what you have typed in your application form or documents may be a reason for US Visa Rejection. If you are traveling within 10 days as per your application, then don’t mention a month. Should you mention a relative in the DS-160 form, then you also must answer honestly if the consul asks you if you have one. If your parents are sponsoring your trip, submit their financial records, and not yours. Please answer the questions consistently and honestly.

So, those are the common reasons for US Visa Rejections. Avoid negative vibes during your application; you need to think positively (Law of Attraction.) Do your interview with confidence. When you are nervous, the consul might feel you are hiding something or you are being dishonest.

Good luck with your application! If you want me to help you, you can get a visa application bundle that includes a one-on-one practice interview with me!

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Written by Kach Umandap

Founder of Two Monkeys Travel Group. Since 2013, Kach has visited all the 7 continents (including Antarctica) and 151 countries using her Philippines Passport. In 2016, she bought a sailboat and went on sailing adventures with her two cats - Captain Ahab & Little Zissou in the Caribbean for 2 years. She now lives in Herceg Novi, Montenegro where she's enjoying her expat life and living on a gorgeous Stonehouse. She writes about her experiences traveling as a Filipina traveler with a PHL Passport. Also tips on backpacking trips, luxury hotel experiences, product reviews, sailing & adventure travel.

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Mar 30, 2024, understanding us visa rejection reasons (b1/b2 tourist visa denial).

The most common US visa rejection reasons for B1/B2 tourist visas are insufficient ties to the home country, financial insufficiency, an unclear purpose of visit, incomplete documentation, a criminal history, and sometimes, a lack of travel history.

It can be hard to find just one main reason why US tourist visas (B1/B2 visas) are often denied, but one common reason is usually not having strong connections to your home country. The counselor officer needs to be convinced that you have good reasons to go back home after you visit the US. If you don't have a permanent job, family connections, or important things like a house in your home country, it might be seen as a problem.

Table of Contents: US Visa Rejection Reasons

Lack of strong ties to the home country.

Inaccurate documentation or conflicting information

Insufficient funds

Criminal record or previous immigration violations or overstays

Lack of travel history

Failure to demonstrate intent to return

US Visa Rejection Reasons - Introduction

In this blog, I will talk about why people often don't get approved for a US visa. I've applied for a B1/B2 visa for my family many times, so I know a lot about why tourist visas can be turned down. I'll explain all the reasons in simple terms and share what I've learned from those experiences. Plus, I'll give tips on how to make your chances of getting approved better.

If the consular officer believes that the applicant does not have sufficient ties to their home country, such as a stable job, property, or family, they may view the applicant as having a higher risk of overstaying in the United States.

The consular officers need to be convinced that the applicant has strong reasons to return home after they visit the US. To address concerns about a "lack of strong ties to the home country," you can provide:

Employment Verification

Letter from your employer, or employment letter

Recent pay stubs

Financial Statements

Bank statements with sufficient funds

Family Ties

Marriage or birth certificates

Letter from a family member

Property Ties

Property ownership documents

If renting, provide lease agreements

Educational Ties

Enrollment or acceptance documents

Business Ties

Business registration or tax records

Return Flight Reservation

Round-trip flight reservation

Inaccurate Documentation or Conflicting Information

Failing to provide complete and accurate documentation to support the purpose of the trip or other required information can lead to a visa rejection. Also, providing inconsistent or conflicting information during the visa interview or on the application form can lead to a rejection. It is essential to provide accurate and consistent information throughout the process.

Related: B2 visa interview questions

It's really important to thoroughly review the information you are providing in the DS-160 form, and if possible get it reviewed by someone else. Make sure your supporting documentation has up-to-date and accurate information.

Insufficient Funds

If you can't show you have enough money to pay for your trip to the United States, it might make the counselor officer worry that you won't be able to take care of yourself while you're in the US. This could lead to them saying no to your visa request.

I've seen rejections not because I didn't have enough money but because I didn't know about this. I always make sure that the bank statement has at least 2.5 lakhs or more (for the B2 visa applicant).

Related: How to apply for a B2 visa for parents?

Criminal Record or Previous Immigration Violations or Overstays

If you have a history of committing crimes or breaking immigration laws, it might cause concerns and lead to your visa being denied. This is especially true if the violations are seen as serious or related to security issues. There isn't much you can do to change this, so it's important to be honest if the consular officer asks about your history.

Furthermore, having a history of visa violations or overstaying a previous visit to the United States can significantly impact your chances of obtaining a new visa. To increase your chances of approval, it's crucial to avoid overstays during your visits to the US.

Lack of Travel History

Applicants who have never traveled outside their home country or have a limited travel history may face greater scrutiny, as they may be perceived as having a higher risk of visa misuse or potential immigration violations.

If you've been to another country before and you're applying for a US visa, it's better for your chances. Also, when you visit the US again, the officer might not ask you as many questions as the first time because they know you plan to go back, and you've shown that with your past travels.

Failure to Demonstrate Intent to Return

A crucial factor in obtaining a B1/B2 visa is demonstrating a genuine intention to return to the home country after the visit. If the consular officer believes that the applicant has immigrant intent or plans to overstay in the United States, they may deny the visa.

How many times can you enter the US on a B1/B2 visa?

A B1/B2 visa for the United States is typically issued for multiple entries. This means that, during the validity period of the visa, you can enter and exit the U.S. multiple times. The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the port of entry will make the final decision regarding entry based on your eligibility and the purpose of your visit.

How soon can I reapply for a U.S. visa after refusal?

If your U.S. visa application is denied, there is no specific waiting period before you can reapply. However, it is generally advisable to wait until your circumstances have significantly changed or until you can address the specific reasons for the previous rejection.

Next: B1/B2 Sponsorship Letter

Related posts.

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Disclaimer: Please note that the information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. Dataneb is a platform for individuals to share their personal experiences with visa and immigration processes, and their views and opinions may not necessarily reflect those of the website owners or administrators. While we strive to keep the information up-to-date and accurate, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. We strongly advise that you consult with a qualified immigration attorney or official government agencies for any specific questions or concerns related to your individual situation. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or legal disputes arising from the use of information provided on this website. By using this website, you acknowledge and agree to the above disclaimer and Google's Terms of Use (https://policies.google.com/terms) and Privacy Policy (https://policies.google.com/privacy).

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10 Common Reasons for US Visit Visa Denial (B1/B2)

“Thank God, I am not a Cuban.” This is what every Indian applying for a non-immigrant visa to enter the US might be thinking right now! According to recent US government data on visa refusals , more than 80% of B visitor visa applications for tourism or business purposes were rejected for Cubans in 2016. This data is causing concern regarding which the next nation will be to see the maximum visa refusals.

Well, the idea is not to scare you but to give you a glimpse of the changed situation under the Trump administration. People applying for non-immigrant visas need to be extra cautious during the application and interview process, since a single mistake can ruin their chances of entering the US.

Tip: Don't forget insurance. Check out the best plans here.

From the experiences of applicants whose visa applications have been rejected, I have created a list of 10 mistakes you should avoid making when applying for a US B1/B2 visa .

10 Reasons Your B1/B2 Visa Could be Denied

1. Application for the Wrong Type of Visa: When filling in the US visa application form, you need to choose from many classes and sub-classes. There have been multiple examples where people selected the wrong category (B1 or B2).

2. Providing Incomplete or Inaccurate Information: Providing complete and truthful information in your visa application is crucial, since any incomplete or false information will only lead to unnecessary delays and even visa denial in extreme cases. What’s worse? Furnishing false information can severely impact your future chances of being granted a US visa.

3. Previously Refused US Visa: The US government doesn’t allow people with a criminal record or someone whose US visa application has previously been refused or a person who has overstayed their US visa to enter to the country again.

4. No Intent of Returning: The B-1/B-2 visitor visa is issued to people who want to travel to the US temporarily, for business purposes (B-1) or for pleasure or medical treatment (B-2). However, if the consular officer suspects that the applicant does not intend to return to their home country and is looking to stay on in America, the visa application will immediately be denied.

5. Being Overly Confident During the Interview: Confidence is good but avoid appearing over-confident. It is a put-off anywhere, especially during a visa interview. Whenever I am asked how to prepare for the visa interview, I always advise people to be calm, honest and confident. Over-confident people appear to be taking the interview process too casually, and do not seem serious about their entry into the US.

6. Casual Attitude During the Interview: Reaching late for the interview, and that too in informal clothing, or sitting too casually in front of the consular officer only illustrates that the applicant is not serious about the interview. You need to portray the right attitude.

7. Ineffective Communication: Many people, out of anxiety, commit the mistake of providing too much or too less information to the consular officer during the visa interview. Sometimes, they may not even realize that they have just ruined their chances of getting into the US. The key here is to answer briefly and to-the-point.

8. Giving too Much Information: It has been commonly seen that in order to strengthen their chances or prove their genuineness, many applicants give too much information to the consular officer. As a result, the consular officer gets tempted to ask further questions, whose answers might not be in favour of the applicant.

9. Not Being Able to Provide Accurate Information about the Sponsor: Many get their US trip sponsored by a friend or family member living in USA. The consular officer will be more than interested in knowing everything about them. If you are not able to give the correct information, stay prepared for visa denial.

10. Insufficient Funds to Return to Your Home Country: Other than having sufficient funds to sponsor your stay in the US, you should have enough funds to return to your home country, since the authorities will not want the applicant use this as an excuse to stay back in the US.

These are the major reasons that can increase the chances of your visa being denied, irrespective of the country you belong to. So, prepare well and always fill the application form carefully.

You might find these articles interesting

• Reasons Why You Should Not Lie During Visa Interviews
• US Visit Visa Application Process – Complete Guide
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About the Author

Mani Karthik

Entrepreneur, Mentor & Blogger. I help business grow & scale. Have helped 15+ companies scale in US, Middle East and India. I share everything I learned on this blog, so that you benefit. Here’s more about me .

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VISA APPLICATION DENIED: 10 Common Reasons and How to Avoid Them

Applying for a visa is nerve-wracking, even for us. I have done 20 applications at various embassies over the past 5 years, ranging from Korean visa to Australian visa to Schengen visa to Canadian visa. You might think I should be used to it by now. But the truth is, I still get extremely nervous every single time. Thankfully, I have never been denied. And I hope a first time would never come.

We know we’re not alone in this. Many of the questions we receive are from anxious readers sharing with us the list of documents they plan to submit and then asking us what we think their approval chances are. Will my visa application be denied? Will it be approved?

To be honest, it is difficult for us to give an opinion on and impossible to assess any application because it is based on a whole bunch of factors. The embassies consider several things before making a decision.

I think it’s important that you understand why embassies and consulates screen applicants and have a visa policy in the first place. Visa policies are there primarily to protect the national interest of the country. Tourism-wise, their usual concerns are visitors overstaying and working illegally. It is not uncommon that tourists with a short-term tourist or visit visa decide to stay much longer for employment or other reasons, a clear violation of the rules. Filipinos even developed a colloquial term for it: TNT, which is short for “tago nang tago,” referring to the act of constantly hiding from police or immigration authorities. This prompts embassies in the Philippines to be much stricter in screening tourists. It’s not that they prohibit longer stays or working there. It’s just that you must have the proper papers for it. Having visa policies in place also helps address other serious concerns like human trafficking and threats to national security.

Most reasons for visa rejection are related to overstaying. Thus, it is important to establish that you don’t have ANY reason to stay longer while still being honest about everything. So here are the common reasons why a visa application is rejected and what you can do to prevent them.

Note, however, that I don’t work for any embassy or consulate. All these are speculations based on the patterns and similarities we see in our applications, conversations with travel agents, and experiences of our friends, readers, and members of our Support Group. Much of the evaluation process isn’t visible to outsiders. At the end of the day, it’s an exercise in making educated guesses.

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?

Incorrect or Unjustified Visa Type

If you’re traveling for business, go for a business visa. If traveling purely for leisure, go for a tourist visa. Don’t apply for a tourist visa if your purpose is clearly for business.

Aside from that, don’t be too ambitious because it’s too risky . One of the most memorable messages I received was from someone asking my opinion as to why her Korean application was denied. I asked her a few questions and it became pretty clear early on. She was visiting for the first time and had very little savings in her bank account, but she applied for a 90-day stay in Korea.

Applying for a longer stay especially if it’s your first time raises a lot of questions. Why would you need to stay that long? Would you be able to afford it? What about your job here? Don’t you have strong ties in the Philippines? These questions tick a lot of items on the hmmm-what’s-up-with-that list.

Another incident I remember is a guy who applied for a multiple-entry Schengen visa. He was invited by someone in Europe but he insisted on applying for a multiple-entry visa even though nothing in his itinerary merited it. His application was rejected.

Generally, if it’s your first time applying for a visa at that embassy, go for single entry unless it’s completely justified. When we applied at the German and Greek Embassies for the first time, we had to clearly prove that we would be exiting the Schengen Zone a couple of times, which called for a multiple-entry visa.

Some embassies would still give you a single-entry if they think you don’t deserve it. When I applied for a double-entry Chinese visa, I was still granted a single-entry one. I was lucky because some embassies would just reject it altogether.

Unclear or Unjustified Purpose of Travel

Why do you want to travel to that country? It’s one of the most basic things asked when applying for a visa. It’s in every application form. Are you traveling simply for sightseeing? Will you be visiting friends or family? Will you be attending a seminar or conference? Will you be meeting a client?

Whatever your reason is, it has to be clear and honest. Honest, yes, because you will be asked to prove it. For tourism, you’ll be asked to submit an itinerary or daily schedule. Some embassies will ask you to provide hotel and tour bookings. If your itinerary is far from being realistic, you’re gonna have a problem.

If visiting a friend or family, you will be asked to submit an invitation letter and sometimes guarantee letter and other documents. Other embassies will also ask to prove your relationship. For immediate family, birth certificates often do the trick. For friends or partners, it can get trickier. For Schengen visa, for example, you might be asked to submit pictures together and conversation records. If you have a specific reason — you’re attending a wedding or reunion — mention it. It keeps your purpose grounded, personal, and believable.

Weak Ties to Sponsor or Inviter

Many first-time applicants are under the impression that just because they are invited by someone living in that country means it is easier to be granted a short-term visa. Oh no, that’s not true. Often, knowing someone in that country can actually work against you.

Why? Because knowing someone in that country gives you a strong reason to overstay and not come back. Having an inviter or sponsor abroad doesn’t mean the embassy will not look at your rootedness, employment and financial situation. If anything, they will take a closer look and subject your application to further scrutiny. This is why most Schengen countries zero in on questions like: Do you know anyone in Europe? Do you know anyone in the UK? How are you related to them?

It also complicates things. If you’re invited by someone, you’ll have more documents to submit, some have to be secured by the inviting party abroad. If the relationship appears weak or too distant, it can affect your chances. You should be able to show the embassy why the sponsor is willing to commit to shoulder your trip or be responsible for you. If you just met the inviter online, it will be extremely difficult to convince the embassy because the proof of relationship is weak and unreliable.

You will also have to prove your relationship with them. For Schengen countries, you will be asked to submit photos, conversation records (phone bills, etc.), and other evidence.

Insufficient Proof of Reason to Return

Remember, embassies fear that you would be overstaying, so you need to prove that you have every reason to return after the trip. It’s sometimes called “proof of rootedness.”

Proving your rootedness is basically showing them that you have strong ties in the Philippines and you can’t just disappear. Here are the most common forms of proof of rootedness:

• Employment. They look at your job description, salary, and tenure. If you’ve been with that company for a long time, that’s a good sign for them. This is why they require that these details be included in your Certificate of Employment. This is also why those who are unemployed or who have no stable job are most likely to refused a visa. Embassies fear that you would be working in their country.
• Business. If you own a business in the Philippines, even if it’s a small one, it’s a good proof of rootedness. You can submit business registration documents. Some embassies even ask for the financial reports.
• Properties. If you own a piece of land, a house, condo unit, or even a car, you can submit a copy of the title or deed of sale.

Shaky Employment Status

Another case I will never forget involves a guy who wanted to visit Europe. He had ok funds in his bank account but he couldn’t prove that he was employed. He said he was manning a small sari-sari store and he practically owned it. I said that’s great and that he should submit registration papers. He said that his problem was that all store docs were under the name of his grandmother. That’s bad because on paper, his grandma owns the store, not him.

He then said that he also ran another small business, but unfortunately it was not registered with DTI, BIR or any government agency. He asked if he could write that down as employment in the form. I told him it would be impossible to convince the embassy without documentation.

He remained pretty optimistic about the whole thing. He said he would just explain it in a cover letter. I told him it would very risky because he had no proof. None of the papers had his name. But he said he would still give it a shot.

Of course, his application was denied.

Imagine yourself on the embassy’s side for a minute. Would you believe someone who would tell you he had a job but no documents to prove it? Embassies cannot just take your word for it. They need solid proof.

For freelancers, this is the most challenging part of the application. I was a freelancer when I applied for a Schengen visa via German Embassy. Even when I have business registration docs and ITR, they still asked to see my contracts with clients. Imagine if you had none at all?

If there are documents that you can’t provide, supply alternatives. Submit a copy of the contracts and invoices. Get letters from clients complete with contact details so the embassy could easily get in touch with them to confirm.

Questionable Financial Records

Obviously, you need to prove that you can financially support the trip and not end up in the streets after. Hence, they need to see your proof of income and your bank documents.

How much money should you have in your bank account? Most embassies do not explicitly state an amount. But in general, the unofficial rule of thumb is to add the cost of airfare, hotels, and then daily travel provisions, which is different per embassy. For example, the French embassy requires 120 euro per day. In my travel circles, most follow the P10,000 per day rule. I have friends who have been granted Japanese, Korean, and Australian visa even though they have only around P50,000 in their account because they only applied for a stay of 3-4 days.

The point is, how much you have in the bank should be proportional to your stay. Don’t apply for a 30-day or 60-day visa if you only have P50,000 in your account. That just doesn’t make sense.

Some embassies like the Japanese require only a bank certificate. Others like the Korean and Schengen countries’ embassies want to see both the bank certificate AND bank statements. It’s not enough that you have sufficient funds. They also look at account maturity and transaction history.

You see, some applicants and illegal recruiters try to game the system by either opening an account or depositing a large amount just for the purpose of application and then withdrawing that money after they get the visa. Because of this, embassies want to see the account activities for the past 3-6 months. It should present a steady cash flow. If your account history shows something unusual like a one-time big deposit, it will raise a red flag.

A friend of mine wanting to attend an event in Europe was refused a Schengen Visa by the Norwegian Embassy because she had little savings. But my friend made an appeal and showed that aside from her savings, she also had a Paypal account with some money in it. She printed the transaction history and submitted it together with a letter. Her appeal was approved.

Weak Travel History

Sometimes, applying for a visa feels like applying for a job. All the stamps and visas on your passport? That’s your resume.

Having a strong travel history certainly gives you an advantage. It shows the embassy that they should trust you. It’s like saying, “Look, I’ve been to all these countries and I have returned each time and never overstayed.”

Of course, having all those stamps isn’t a guarantee. In the same way, having no stamps at all doesn’t mean your application will be denied right away. But a good history definitely builds your case. That’s why it’s always a good idea to visit visa-free countries first before visa destinations .

If you have a record of overstaying, you have a problem. It will be much harder for you to convince them to trust you again. Hence, never ever break your visa restrictions!

Inconsistent Information and Interview

First up, take the application form seriously. It is the most important document when applying for a visa. It contains the most essential information about you and your trip, and all the other documents will be run against it. Make sure you have spelled everything correctly. Make sure you follow instructions. Most importantly, make sure everything is accurate, truthful, and consistent.

If you write on the form that you’re staying for only 4 days, don’t submit a 2-week itinerary. If you write you’re self-employed, provide business documents. If you write you’re invited by someone, present the necessary paperwork.

That’s critical if an interview is mandatory. We always say, be confident during interview. The truth is, it’s easier said than done. It can be terrifying sometimes, haha. Under all that pressure, it’s easy to buckle. Hence, you have to be prepared for it. You need to be familiar with every nook and cranny of your trip. That’s why it’s best to be heavily involved in the planning so you get to memorize the details by heart.

It’s also why you have to be honest all the time. If you’re telling the truth, it’s easy to be consistent. No matter how the interviewer twists the questions, you will have the same answer because it’s the truth. It’s not difficult to see who’s lying and making up stories. One tough question about a detail can make your facade crumble.

If you feel like you have to lie during the application, it probably means you’re not ready for this trip.

Incomplete, Fake or Dubious Documents

Every visa application involves a set of requirements that must be submitted by the applicant. The problem arises when applicants don’t have some of these documents. Some choose to submit fake or forged documents, which is the biggest no-no. Some docs like birth certificates are hard to fake, but things like Certificate of Employment, pay slips, and bank statements can easily be produced. But DON’T DO IT.

If caught, your application will automatically go straight to the trash bin. It reflects your character. It shows your willingness to break the rules, which is exactly what they DON’T want in their country. Some embassies do verify documents. The Korean Embassy sometimes calls the company you work for to confirm the details in your Certificate of Employment. For embassies that require flight reservation, they may check the booking code of the flight to confirm it exists and is under your name.

If a certain requirement doesn’t apply to you, don’t fake it. Find alternatives. For example, most OFWs who are back in the country won’t be able to produce an ITR released by BIR because they didn’t work here. But that doesn’t mean you can’t submit anything. You can submit that country’s equivalent tax document.

There are also workarounds. For instance, if you’re applying for a Japanese visa and you don’t have an ITR or bank certificate, you can find a guarantor, ideally immediate family. This way, the burden shifts to the sponsor and you just need to submit their documents instead (among others). Take note that this is only for Japanese Embassy. Most other embassies will still ask for your financial documents even if your trip is sponsored.

Bottomline, submit a complete set of documents . If you can’t, don’t fake anything. If you can’t find a workaround or alternative, it’s probably not a good time for you to apply for a visa yet.

However, having complete requirements doesn’t mean approval. They will inspect the documents and must find them satisfactory.

The 10th reason? We don’t know.

You can be adequately prepared for it, but sometimes, we just don’t know what the eff is going to happen.

I have heard about cases wherein I just couldn’t figure out what the hell went wrong. I have a friend who has a great travel history, financial records, rootedness proof. Everything was great, in my opinion. And yet her application was denied. I also know another who was applying for a Japanese visa for the third time. He meets all the items of someone who would surely be guaranteed approval, but was refused a visa, too.

We were thinking, was it just a mistake? Was the assessor having a bad day when they evaluated their application? Haha. It’s just perplexing.

Then, I also have another friend who had never been to any visa country, had shaky finances and was new to her job, but she was granted a multiple-entry visa!

As you know, Vins and I often travel together, so when it comes to travel history, we’re on equal standing. In one of our visa applications, we applied at the same time. When it comes to all the other requirements, Vins has much better odds than me. He had a full time job; I was a freelancer. He had more money in the bank, more stable employment history, more properties under his name. Naturally, I was more nervous. Guess what, my application was approved 2 weeks earlier than his. Haha. He was even called to submit more documents. It boggles the mind. LOL.

In another incident, I applied for an Australian visa with friends. They were visiting for the first time so I even assisted them through the process. I had been to Australia before, and my travel history and other requirements are definitely much stronger. My friends were granted a multiple entry visa. I was granted single entry. We were all shocked.

Really, sometimes, you just never know. But don’t count on these hiccups. These are more exceptions than rules. Always be prepared.

Other Useful Visa Posts

• Korean Visa Requirements
• Japan Visa Requirements for Tourists
• Japan Visa Requirements for Visiting Friends or Relatives
• Australian Visa Online Application
• Canadian Visa Online Application
• French Schengen Visa Requirements
• German Schengen Visa Application Process
• Greek Schengen Visa Application Process
• Indian Visa Online Application
• Turkish Visa Online Application
• UAE Visa Application

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Very good article. I have worked in an embassy for a while and can confirm what is written here.

However, there is something you should keep in mind: during peak season embassies (shengen countries) have about 5 min per visa application.

So since the printing process takes around two minutes there are about 3 min to check the documents.

If you know that you will understand that the most important thing is to not stand out. Means have all the documents and make them look unsuspicious.

— Some parts deleted —

Hi Sven! Thanks so much for sharing this.

I hope you won’t mind that I deleted the last sentence of your comment because it might send the wrong idea to readers, haha. But thanks again for sharing that.

Hi I’m kelvin snow I will like to have a visa two south korea please help me

hi! i would like to ask a question, we applied for a Japan Visa and only put 5 days in our itenerary when we plan to really stay for 8 days. Do you think, Is that okay? Our visa is a single entry valid for 60 days.

Hi Jessica, yes, it’s okay. Standard Japan Visa allows you to stay up to 15 days. :)

I retired from my previous work in a cruise ship last January and there’s someone offered me a job in Australia. Until now he just saying to me that I should be there as tourist. He will help me to have a job when I arrive there. What’s the right visa for me when there’s someone sponsor a job?

Hi Virgilio, naku, di ko po alam. :(

I’m a business owner and also do work online as a Digital Marketing Consultant. Should I put both on the application or stick to one?

Hi Kaye, generally it’s best to stick to one, so pick one na sa tingin mo mas malaki ang chances mo or mas maraming relevant documents na masusubmit. Mas complicated kasi pag andaming isusubmit.

Pero if weak pareho, dun lang sa tingin ko may sense na magsubmit ng pareho.

I thought of that, too. I’ll go with the business since complete naman the requirements and it’s somehow established na.

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I really appreciate it!

No worries! Good luck with your application! :)

Hi good day!

Travelled to countries na HK Macau and Taiwan.. All not requiring a visa kaya knakabahan po ako sa japan trvel with a friend on feb 2019.. Pnakaworry ko po is ung bank cert.. Question po i have 2 bank accounts one where I get my pay from every 2wks.. And usually nssimot ko sya.. Or ung isang bank account na once in a blue moon ko lang lagyan mostly 4 -5 digits lang po nggng laman.. Mdalas withdrawal pa.. Pro im planning magipon npo starting this sept pra mkta cash flow.. Sang bank acct po mas mlaki chance ko maapprove?ung with monthly salary or ung savings pro mostly wla dn po syado cash flow? TIA =)

Hi Joan, if bumababa sa 4 digits yung isang account mo, malabo din yun. Unless nga mag-iipon ka since matagal pa naman ang Feb.

Bank cert lang naman ang hinihingi ng Japan Embassy, hindi bank statement, so hindi makikita yung mga transaction details. Ang most likely lalabas lang ay yung balance, maturity, and ADB. So kahit alin dyan sa dalawang accounts mo, pwede, basta mag-ipon ka na. May time pa naman.

Thank you for your article! very informative and also sets my expectations in applying for a visa.

Thanks too for visiting our blog!

hi! im going to apply for an australian visa. okay na po ba mag submit lang ng coe, payslips, and itr? or kelangan po talaga na may bank statements? i have been employed for 11 yrs na po and still employed with the company. il just be visiting for 8 days. another question po, how much po kaya yung ideal pocket money for an 8- day trip in australia? because u mentioned po sa europe it’s about 120 euros per day.

thanks po in advance!

Hi Johanna, please read our Australian Visa Guide. You’ll find the answer to your questions here: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2016/06/successfully-get-australian-visa-online-requirements-steps-filipino-tourists/

Hi po, i just got denied in my visa application for south korea last sept 26, i have submitted all the requirements for employee, with itr, bank cert and statement of account, coe, all intact. Ive already traveled to hk last 2 years ago, i wonder why nreject ako., is there any way to re appeal po? Thank u

Hi Elma, according to some members of our Support Group, you can apply via the Korean Consulate in Cebu even if you’re denied in Manila. Just hire a travel agency in Cebu to submit the docs for you. But make sure you have additional documents to support your case.

Hi!!! Kasalukuyan po ako nag fifill up ng application for online pero suddenly its showing …An error has accured …ano po ba ang dapat kong gawin….thanks in advance

Thank u so much sir yoshke, i have now a contact person in cebu, hope for a positive result. Your response is a big help for me to know na its possible to re appeal.thank u

Hi! Was it approved, and is your contact person in cebu a travel agency? Thanks

No prob, Elma! Good luck with your application!

Hello, I already commented in another post but forgot to ask another question. So here it goes: My boyfriend and I are planning to visit France (hopefully) next year. We’re not exactly the travelling type-I’ve been to Macau and HK twice, he hasn’t been out of the country. We want to go to France to visit our favorite authors’ graves, do the Van Gogh Walk in Arles, mostly we’ll be in Provence. These sites are not the more famous sites [for Pinoy tourists, based on my googling], too. My question is, can we, at the very least, explain in the cover letter why we want to visit France despite us not having a passport filled with stamps? Funding and rootedness in PH are not an issue for us.

Your blog has been very helpful kahit na next year pa plano naming, I’m saving all the info got from here.

Hi E! Yes, you can explain your purpose in a letter. :)

Thank you! :)

Hello, Im planning to visit canada. Pwede po ba gamitin yung business name ng In-laws ko and yung husband ko meron maliit na tindahan. Kakaresigned ko lng last May dahil naoperahan ako. Please advise.

It has to be named after you. You should be the registered owner of the business.

Hello po, i just wanna know because im planning to travel in xi’an china for 4-5days ideally magkano po dapat un laman ng bank account to use for the visa application, i closed my deposit account so.im.planning to use my card where i get my salary from, but just like the other reader i really use it for withrawing the money but since im planning to travel on december so im thinking not to use it for any withrawal transactions up until the time i apply for chinese visa. And super helpful ng blogs nyo i have been following you guys whenever i travel to some countries.

Hi Jaypee, di namin alam magkano dapat ang laman. May mga nagsasabi na nag-apply sila for Chinese visa na around 50K na naapprove, pero may mga travel agencies na ang sabi dapat daw minimum 100K. So it’s hard to tell kung magkano ba talaga dapat. :(

I think the amount is not important, but the tenure of the bank account and the cash flow. Importante may pumapasok. My friends even presented payroll account from landbank na laging empty with less than 10k and they got approved for China, Japan, and Korean Tourist Visas. I dunno if factor din ang permanent employment sa government kaya madali approval. Ako, I got approved for Chinese Visa with 117k deposit pero sa 6 months, my ADB is only 13k

Hello po tnong q lng po plano ksi ng boyfriend ko mg visit ako sa country this 2019 khit 2weeks and ng travel ndin po kmI ng non visa country anu po ung dpat eh prepare ko po salamat

Hi Joan, saang country? And is your boyfriend Pinoy or citizen dun?

Hi, I’ll be applying for a japan visa this week for my Nov 2018 trip. I opened a new account last March 2018 where I’ve been depositing my savings. Would it be fine with the embassy if my account started just last March? It now amounts to 100,000 and I’ll be staying for 6 days. Thank you for your help!

Hi Nikki, hard to say, but I’d give it a try if I were in your shoes. That’s just me though.

Thanks for the advice Yoshke! Will surely give it a try. I got my bank certificate today from BDO and they only have 1 standard format. It only shows the current balance to date. I can’t customized it to have an ADB nor a Created Date. Oh well, it won’t hurt to try. It’s just me being anxious haha :) Thanks again!

Hi Nikki, I just checked my BDO bank cert and yeah, you’re right. The ADB and maturity date are no longer indicated. You should be fine, when bank cert is concerned. :)

Hi. I applied for a Korean Visa and part of it is the declaration of my out-of-the-country travels for the past 5 years. I have indicated United Arab Emirates and Malaysia in my application. Originally, I submitted by application including my old passport since the stamps for my Malaysia travel including other countries (more than 5 years ago) are there.

Since the application for Korean visa is already through agencies, I asked my friend to process my application. However, 2 days after the application, my friend told me that the agency gave back my old passport. I am now worried that my application might be denied since I have no other proof that I traveled to Malaysia aside from my old passport.

I am currently on my 8th year in the company where I am working and am already in a manager position. My Bank Statement and Bank Certificate are also quite okay for the application.

According to the agency, the estimated date of release of the result is on November 15, 2018. I am really really worried.

I hope you could respond to my inquiry. Thank you!

Hi Harry, hindi ko alam if SOP yung hindi pagtanggap ng old passport sa Korean Embassy. Di ko rin matandaan kung sinubmit ko ung old passport ko when I applied. Sorry. :(

But at this point, since you have already submitted the application, there is nothing that you can do. Hintay-hintay na lang. :)

Thanks for responding Yoshke. My fingers are crossed that the embassy would consider my other qualifications.

I hope the wait is all worth it. :)

Sana nga! Good luck! :)

Hi Yoshke. I got approved just now. :)

Yayyyyyy!!! Congrats!!!

If you need help planning your Korea trip, check out our Travel Guide here: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2017/01/korea-travel-guide-seoul-itinerary/

Hi! I am planning to visit UK next year. What is the requirement that I need to submit.

Hi Catherine, I haven’t tried UK visa application yet. :(

Hi. Do I really need an invitation if Im going to visit Canada alone. Ano po kaya ang chances na makapasa if walang invitation letter? And how much will be the needed money in my account? Btw, I’m 8yrs employed with no travel experience out of the country. :) TIA

Hi Chin Chan, if no one is inviting you, you don’t need an invitation letter. You can apply as a tourist. More info here: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2017/07/canada-visa-requirements/

Hi! I submitted our(with my 2 siblings) online visa application to Canada last Nov 19, and till now no email receive yet. How long kaya malalaman if approve or not?

According to the latest update ng website nila, the average processing time this month is 18 days, so normal pa rin yan. :)

The 10th reason was so true. I applied for korean visa recently with my friends. They all got approved except me. I even filled up my friend’s application form for her. We all have the same requirements, more travel abroad (though all visa free), I even have higher ADB and savings on the bank but I’m the one who got denied. Sometimes we never know.

Thanks for sharing, Den!

Hi, Ano po chance ko ma approved Australian visitor if my previous visa was US visa 10 yrs multiple, Japan visa 5yrs and italy schengen visa.

Hi Mar. Hard to say. It depends on many things aside from travel history. But it sure is a plus, but not a guarantee.

Hi, Thank you for sharing these very helpful info. I am planning to apply for a Korean visa next year. I have an online-based job for more than two years now. The company does not give COE but they give certificate of service, it just don’t include how much I earn though. I’m also a concessionaire in our local groceries but my business is not registered and I only have receipts as a proof that I am earning in this small business. (transactions are under my name). For my rootedness, I am single and I am enrolled in my second year for graduate school. I have traveled three southeast asian countries before and all didn’t require visas. I have two bank accounts and no cc. first one is for payroll and the other one is for my savings. (it only has 5 digits savings.) I don’t have an ITR. I always travel solo.

What do you think about my chances of getting approved for my first time to apply for visa? I am earning but cannot provide the COE and ITR. I have savings but cannot justify how I earned it since I don’t have the COE and ITR. If you are the officer, are you going to approve my application?

Thank you for reading!

caveat: my job and business are all legal :)

Hi Amri, it’s hard for me to assess. But there have been applicants without COE or ITR who were granted a visa, so I know it’s not impossible. But that was before the Korean Embassy had designated travel agencies.

Now that there are designated travel agencies, there is an extra gatekeeper who will assess it first. What I suggest is to contact your chosen agency first and ask them about your chances instead since they will know it better. :)

Hello. Thank you for sharing this helpful info. Me and my friends wants to get a korean visa thru travel agencies on May. We are planning for a group application and to travel in July. Some of us are first timers. And sa case ko po. I just finished my studies last October 2018. And Im reviewing for my board exam. Paano po yung sken anong requirements po yung susundin ko. Since unemployed po ako. Nagbook na po kami on July. But wala pa ping return flight. My friend is suggesting na maghanap na din po kami ng flight pabalik before our application. But we are afraid na baka madeny po kami. Mas malaki po yung pera na mawawaste namin.

For your application, write a letter explaining that you have recently graduated, then submit proof na kaka-graduate mo lang. Tapos best if may guarantor ka na immediate family member.

Hello, My Aunt in Canada sent an invitation to me for 6 mos. visit visa. Can I apply for 3 months visa or even shorter than 3mos. kahit naka-indicate sa invitation letter that I should stay there for 6 mos.? Also, is it required to have itinerary for 3-6mos. stay? Thanks

Hi Dane, baka makalito ung 6 months na nasa invitation letter tapos 3 months ung applyan. Iwasan mo na lang yung mga inconsistencies kasi red flag yung ganyan.

Hello I am engage to an Australian last Nov. lang and I was planning to go on Australia as a tourist in May of this year, my question is need ba niya i indicate sa invitation na I am his fiancee or dapat girlfriend lang and how much po dapat show money?

Hi po good morning salamat s blog nyu po at super malaking tuñong hingi po sna aku adv regarding po sa plan k po mg apply ng us ir canda anu po mas madaling applyan po and my prev po akung tour more on asia po the japan single and not multiple from japan mkktlong po b ito at kungsakali my business po aku at merung DTI and mayors permit kso wla po akung ITR ok lang po b un salamat po.

HI RC, di pa kasi ako naka-try mag-apply ng US visa so hindi ko macompare.

Sa Canada naman, malaking bagay yung ITR. Kung wala naman, pwede rin ang registration. Matagal na po ba ang business nyo? May iba po ba kayong proof of income and business activity like invoices? Makakatulong din iyon.

hello po, just wanted to ask po, our family is planing to apply for a south korean visa. my father had his early retirement and at the same time he has a small business. but most of the funds in his bank po ay galing na po from his retirement. he have complete business papers rin naman po, kaso yung itr niya states no income, kasi po small business lng siya. what should we check po sa portion na current personal cirsumstances? the retired or self employed? or should we check both po? then submit both the retirement papers and business papers po? thanks!

Hi Sharmaine, since no income yung nasa ITR, parang mas okay na retired? Pero make sure na may sponsor. Opinion ko lang po ito ha. Best to ask an embassy-designated travel agency po.

Hi. I have a question po, since i am a graduating student po, my tita is planning to sponsor me a trip to Korea as a birthday and graduation gift for me. Kaya lang po, my parents doesnt have bank accounts. :( ano po kayang pwede kong gawing alternative? Pwede po kayang iapply ko sya as sponsorship kasi yung tita ko naman po talaga magcocover ng expenses ko to Korea? And incase paano ko po iaapply yung for sponsorship. Pls help po. Thankyou

Hi Russelle, ang alam ko pwede naman po yun. Pagawa ka na lang po ng Affidavit of Support tapos pa-notarize para mas safe. Tapos need mo ipakita yung bank docs and ITR ng tita mo.

Hi! Your article is extremely comprehensive and informative. I have one question. I intend to do an open-jaw trip, Manila-Toronto, New York- Manila. In terms of visa application, do I first apply for Canadian visa or US visa. My first destination is Canada, the USA. WHich visa application do you think I should initiative first? thank you very much

You can do both at the same time. You can already schedule an appointment for US Visa and while waiting, apply for Canadian visa online.

Do you have tickets already?

But if I were in your shoes, I’d take care of the US visa first and then use that as a supporting document for my Canadian visa application.

Hi po Good Morning.

Ask ko lng po, my aunt po is 50 years old. She availed of the early retirement in their company (after 30 years of service) but she is single and wants to travel to japan (though family trip po ito) is it possible not to provide any guarantee letter since she will be sponsoring her own trip (she has sufficient fund to support her own trip)? Medyo confusing lng po kasi dahil mejo kakaiba po situation nya dahil po 50+ years old sya pero retired na.

Thanks po and hoping for your response.

Hi Reginald, feeling ko pwede naman yun. Anong visa po?

Hi Yoshke. We are planning to apply for Australian Visa, my husband as the main applicant. I’m a small time online seller on Shopee with no business registration. I have my personal savings account. Should I declare that I’m an online seller and submit Shopee Income Statement or declare as a housewife? Thanks!

Hi Sheena, naku, di ko alam kapag ganyan, pero if I were in your shoes, I would apply as a housewife.

Okay ba ung kita mo sa Shopee? If okay, write a letter that you also do online selling and submit the Shopee Income Statement. If hindi naman ganun kalaki kita mo sa Shopee, baka best na wag na lang imention kasi baka maka-confuse lang.

Hi Yoshke. I am married po with Italian and I am just waiting po only for 2 years to be an Italian Citizen. Since, I’ve been in Europe a couple of times, is there a big chance po ba na ma-approve korean visa application ko?

Depende po sa maraming factors yan. Ang travel history ay isa lang sa mga yun. Pero titingnan pa rin nila ang employment and financial capacity n’yo. :)

Firsrly, Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences. This is much appreciated. I just want to ask if I can use the Contract to Sell for the one unit Townhome I bougth under my name thru Pag-ibig if I apply for a tourist visa let say to Europe or Canada. As we all know since it is under financing scheme, the legal owner is si Pag-Ibig until such time n ma fully paid na and the title has been tranfered to my name, which would take many years before it happens.

Do you think this is a good evidence to support my rootedness aside from my COE?

Thanks and hope to hear it from you soon :-)

Hi Phy, unfortunately, di ko alam kung pwede yung contract to sell. :(

H, okay lang ba if yung ITR 2316 walang stamp from BIR?

Usually pag employee, okay lang na wala.

Anong visa po ba yan?

Thank you Yoshke, Actually, kaka received ko lang ITR ko ngayun with certification from BIR with seal. This for my tourist korean visa application

Good luck with your application!

It is very useful when I read your articles and it gives me the right amount of competitiveness to pursue my visa applications. I was able to visit “visa and non-visa” countries but that’s quite long time ago. Last week, my Korean application was approved. I had this fear feeling it won’t be approved since my current account is only 30k. I don’t have also the ADB to support my account. I’m travelling with my Christian friends and they’re all with their families. Last year, I booked my flight ticket and hotel accommodation since it’s quite affordable during that season. Tho, I think the embassy has this matrix or pointing system who gives specific weights per criteria of all the requirements needed. I asked my travel agency to add my application to the group tour to have higher chances in appraising my documents. Moreover, I submitted my COE with tel. no., monthly and annual gross, current position and date hired. I’ve give my ITR too and with regards to my bank cert. given by my company since I am working in a rural bank, I made a letter since the current system cannot issue my ADB signed by the branch manager and teller with a seal. I have printed my transaction history in my passbook and have given my statement covering the 3-month progress. I am just so overwhelmed and happy that all my efforts really paid off. Now, I can’t sleep and I’m really excited to visit SoKor with its Cherry Blossoms Season. God bless you always. I’m sorry ‘coz this was quite long to read. Gamsahamnida Sir Yoshke :)

PS: There are hmmmm, let’s say small grammatical errors as per my first message. I am sorry. Inshallah, I will have this amazing break this April 2-7 in SoKor. God bless you po Kuya. :)

Yayyy! Congrats!

Don’t worry about grammar errors. I have those too when I’m too lazy to proofread (which is most of the time, hahhaha)!

Enjoy Korea!

Hi Yoshke, I have a special friend in Canada for more than 1 year and 4 months and he wants me to visit him this coming August and he will shoulder all the expenses and i am staying at his apartment for the duration of my visit. He already sent me the invitation letter and he stated there that he will be the one responsible for all the expenses and he will look after me. My friend have voice dissability due to accident since September 1984. He wants me to visit him to see also the place and the way of living of a Canadian people. Is there a possibility to grant me a visitors visa. Please advise. Thanks, Fely

Hi Felicidad,

They will still look at your financial and employment records even if your trip is sponsored. So nakadepende doon kung approved or hindi.

Also, is your special friend Canadian? How did you meet? I’m asking because mas strict ang PH Immigration pag foreigner ang bibisitahin, lalo na if sila yung sasagot sa expenses. So even if magka-visa, baka mahirapan ka sa Immigration.

Hi! Mag apply po ako sa Australia.ok n po ba yung 10 itinerary ko and during week end lng mkkpasyal. Salamat po

Thank you for this article, I will follow this to my future visa applications!

No prob, Janna!

I’m planning to go to South Korea this fall, I already have a Japan Multiple Entry Visa do you think its easier for me to get a Korean visa?

Great article!

My cousin’s Japan Visa application got rejected a few weeks ago. He is working abroad and applied from there but the bank he declared is here in PH. His account has around 100k balance. I applied for Japan Visa here in PH with a bank account of 50k and got approved. Is there a minimum amount required if applying from a different country? And can he apply for japan visa again when we comes home to PH in a few days? Thanks.

Easier, yes, kasi OECD ang Japan, but not a guarantee.

hello, 1st time ko po mag-apply ng student visa sa canada and hindi pa po ako nakakapag-out of country (sa june pa yung Thailand trip ko hehe) possible kaya maging reason yun for refusal? thank you for the answer :)

Hi Jesselyn, di kami ganun ka-familiar sa rules kapag student visa. :S

My cousin wants to join us for a planned trip to the US this year. He is into buy and sell business. Travelled to Asian countries with Visa and some Southeast Asian countries too. He inherited some fortune from his father. Do you think he’ll be lucky enough to be granted visitor visa?

Hi Charlie, US visa is said to be the hardest to predict kasi they don’t ask for too many requirements. Much of the result depends on the interview.

Hi, balak ko po sanang mag apply ng US tourist visa para dalawin ang pamilya ko, mama, papa and kaptid ko nakatira na sa US naiwan ako kasi na over 21 po ako. Turning 3 years na po ako sa work ko dito sa pinas may ipon na din po ako. Malaki po ba ang chance na madeny po ako saapplication ng visa?

Im so happy i was able to visit your page. It’s really helpful. I am planning to apply for visit visa in canada. My boyfriend and i decided to do so. Yearly silang nagvivisit sa philippines but natigil yun, 2016 yung last visit nila dto with his family. Medyo wala na kasi silang enough time to visit ph kasi lahat sila may regular job na it’s hard for them to schedule their trip so we just decided na ako nlng magvisit dun. We’ve been together since 2015. He’s my best friend’s cousin. He’s half pinoy. I’ve never been in out of the country trip. We’re just planning to have just 2 weeks vacation there because I can’t have my working leave longer than 2 weeks. I have bank account since november 2018, i have 700k there. I also have land title under my name. I’ve been working in bank since july 2018. Is it possible for me to get a visit visa? And what are other documents that i need for me to justify my 2 weeks trip there. Hoping for your respond

Hi Cha, naku, hard for me to say kung ano yung chances of approval. :( Ang medyo questionable lang is medyo bago pa yung bank account mo and wala ka pa travel history. Pero di ko alam if ano chances of approval talaga.

Hi Carisse, mahirap po masabi pero pinakaimportant ay maprove mo na babalik ka talaga and maging consistent ka sa interview, which is a big big factor.

Hi Yoshke, I want to share my experience with my US Visa application. I had an interview last April 4, 2019. Everything went well and I thought that I will be granted a US Visa. However, to my surprise, the Consul Officer gave back my passport and said that he cannot grant me a US Visa. I was so prepared that day and had all the necessary documents ready. Sadly, the Consul Officer did not give me a chance to show my documents to support my application.

Here is the exact words that he said: “You are very much qualified to be granted a US Visa. However, you applied for a wrong visa type. You should’ve applied for L-1 Visa.” Then he gave back my passport. He added: “Re-apply for a visa. Good luck on your project.”

My boss sent a letter to the US Embassy to clarify the recommendation made by the Consul Officer because based on our review on the conditions set for L-1 Visa Type, my purpose of visit does not fall on this visa type. We also sent a letter to their consular communications group with regard to our request for clarification.

The following day, April 5, 2019, I received a call asking me if I am available on April 8 for a supplemental interview. To cut the long story short, I was given a second chance to discuss my case and luckily, I was granted a 12-month multiple entries visa.

This was a roller coaster experience for me. I hope that everyone who got denied won’t be hindered by a single rejection. This is just a hump but you will get over it. You might stumble but not fall.

Thank you for letting me share my experience.

Hello! This is very helpful. Thanks for sharing this! :)

Hey Yoshke! I have a dillemma. My COE travel dates are July 13-24, 2019 while my booked Aussie roundtrip tix is July 22-30, 2019. Also, my Payroll account address is different from my personal address in the application form. Wasnt able to change the address when I requested it. Should I just explain the discrepancies in the cover letter? Or request docs again? 2 weeks kasi ang docs! I’m travelling July 22, when can I apply for Visa te latest? AU visa :) thanks!!

Hi Annie, best to requiest new docs since may time ka pa naman. :)

Hi! Planning to apply for Korean Visa sa September and kaka start ko lang as freelancer this April. Paano kaya yun kung di ako makapag submit ng ITR? What do I need to submit as an alternative sa ITR? Sabi nila I can submit a cover letter explaining why I can’t provide an ITR pero I don’t know what to include in the letter. Thanks.

May full time job ka ba before ka nag-freelance?

And also, about applying for korean visa, baka kasi mag push through yung invite sa akin ng isang Church doon sa Seoul. Do you think that’s enough para ma grant ako ng Visa? Do I still need to submit an ITR kung may invitation nman sa akin ng Church doon?

Hello! I applied for a visa going to NZ last year (twice thru online) and this April (thru an agent) and got denied, their reason is I am not a bona fide applicant. My third attempt to apply, I have added an NBI clearance and a sponsorship letter from my bf and other stuff that is needed like his bank details. I have also supplied a booked roundtrip ticket. They cited that they are not convinced that my relationship with my bf is legitimate. They are not also satisfied with my employment status given that I have been working in this company for 6 years and I have provided a certificate of employment from HR and no objection letter from my service manager stating that I need to report back to work on the next business day after my return ( I thought that they are thinking that I might not come back to the Philippines given that the company I am working for is an Australian and New Zealand company and that there is an office in NZ). Is there any way to know what are their requirements for me to prove that I am a bona fide applicant and that I will not stay in NZ illegally and will go back to the Philippines after my planned trip?

Hi Jhackie,

In my opinion, mas issue sa kanila yung relationship mo. Embassies usually frown upon applications of those supported by boyfriend/girlfriend. It’s just not a reliable or strong enough relationship for them. I know it can be frustrating but that’s usually how it is. It’s often much easier to apply showing that you will be supporting yourself financially and independently.

Hello we are applying for a Spain Visa. Ano po dapat ang ilalagay if my mom will sponsor our trip?

My passport just came back without a sticker/visa (nz) and no email explaining whether denied or what.

Last 2017, they mailed back the passport with stickers. No email too that i hv been approved. Just that sticker.

I am praying that they will send the visa through email (mailing it will cost them.money so i dnt think that is possible). But the question is, why did they return my passport without the stickerif i am not approved in the first place.

What do you think?

Nice post thanks for sharing

hi, this is my 2nd time na magapply ng TV to Au po ung first time sponsored po ni boyfriend but now po is it ok if invitation letter lang po ang ibigay ni boyfriend? I have business namn po dito sa pinas. This time hindi sponsored ni bf kasi medyo mababa ung nasa bank statement nya kasi ngloan sya ng house.

Hi. gusto ko lang itanong. may nabili ako house and lot but as of now wala pa ang deed of sale, in process pa din po. kaya ang nakuha ko lang contract of sale. Gusto ko po kasi i add yun sa proof of assets ko na I have a strong tie here in the Phils na talaga nga babalik ako. I travelled to Japan 3 years ago. I also have DTI cert. bank cert/satement. meron din po ako invitation letter and she sent all her proof of funds na kaya nya i provide lahat ng needs namin like accomodation, airfare even tickets. almsot complete na ang requirements namin ng partner ko which is sya talaga ang relative nung sponsor.. may chance po kaya? thank you

This is Harry. I and my partner is planning to have a trip to japan this December. I have my bank account in security bank but there is no usual activities there. Mostly are deposits but not on a regular basis.

We already had a history applying for a Korean visa last year. Mine was approved but his was denied. Now, we are planning to apply for a Japan trip. He already went to HK and Vietnam just to have stamps on his passport.

I am currently in the US but I am planning to go back by October this year. Is it okay if we apply a month before the actual travel date to Japan? Will there be a problem since my partner was previously denied of Korean visa?

Yep, you can apply 1 month before the trip since the usual processing time is just a few days to a week.

The Japanese Embassy is much less strict than the Korean Embassy, so if your partner is currently employed and has good savings, there’s a good chance of being granted a visa. :)

For Japan Visa, can I just apply as individual even if I will be travelling with my partner and his mom?

Thank you Yoshke! It’s nice to visit your page because I get a lot of ideas about visa processing. Btw, I got approved with my Korean Visa Application last December because I followed what you wrote on your blogs. More power!

All the best.

Yeyyy! Thanks for sharing this. :D

Hi. I am about to apply for a tourist visa to Canada. I will meet my bf’s parents for thanks giving. I have a job, i owned a business (room for rent), i am a single parent. I made a letter to consular that i am not going to overstay because i have a son who is studying and will be waiting for me. I will attach there my sons birthcert and schl enrollment cert. And also i said in the letter that i am going to leave my son to my mother while i am on vacation, who is old and has an asthma so i cannot leave my son to her care for a long period of time. I am worried about that letter. Should i mention about my mother’s asthma or it could be a reason for visa rejection? Please give me some advice. I am really a genuine visitor.

Hello Yoshke :)

Nag’apply po kami ng korean visa dito sa Manila. Denied po kami. And we’re planning to apply to Cebu. Ask ko lang kung need pa ba namin magpasa ng cover letter / appeal letter? Thank you.

Hi Ma’am/Sir,

Can you give me an idea reason of applying multiple Visa in Japan.

Applied in March and I just wrote I wanted to see Japan in spring and autumn so I was planning to return in November. I explained a little bit but that was the gist.

Im planning to apply for Spain visa. However they require ITR with stamp based sa requirements listed sa webite. My ITR doesn’t have stamp since my company is part of large taxpayers. Sabi sa BIR “There is no need for it to be stamped received by the BIR as your company already filed their Alpha list where your income and withholding tax are submitted to the BIR.” Nag inquire din ako sa BLS sabi pde daw nila tangapin yung walang stamp pro di nila maguarantee na ndi magrequest ang consul pag nireview yung requirements. By any chance na may experience ka or may kilala ka sa ganitong situation? Thank you

Hi Lara, I haven’t tried applying via Spanish Embassy. But I suggest that you post this sa Support Group namin kasi baka ung ibang members may maitulong: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepoortraveler/

I am planning to go to Japan this Oct 2019 with my boyfriend and we will apply for visa this first week of September. My problem is when i got my birth certificate last month, delayed registration ang nakalagay, but yung mga previous birth certificate na nakukuha ko sa PSA was not late registered. And nakakapagtaka pa kasi yung surname ko sa delayed registered ko na birth cert is yung sa mother ko. Iba sya dun sa unang birth cert ko, which is yung sa father ko ang surname ko. Lagi kong ginagamit yung unang birth certificate ko, kahit sa mga valid IDs and pagkuha ng passport. So nagulat ako na may isa pa pala akong birth certificate (late registration) then surname pa ng mother ko yung nakalagay. Now, kumuha ulit ako ng bagong birth cert, hoping na yung unang birth cert ang mabigay sakin. Question ko po is:

1. Naveverify ba ng Japanese embassy na dalawa yung birth cert? Pano po pag yung isang birth cert ko ang isubmit ko (since yun na yung nabigay sakin ngayon ng PSA) sa mother ko yung surname ko which is di ko naman ginagamit?

2. I am new to my current company, but I am already regular na po,okay lang po ba na yung ITR ko from previous company ang ibibigay ko, since wala pa kong ITR na makukuha dito sa bagong company? Do i need to submit a letter stating that i’m new to my current company?

Thank you in advance po. :)

Hi Che, I’m not sure but this is what I think:

1. I don’t think so. I think they will just rely on the documents at hand. If you submit a birth cert with no “Late reg” indication, then you probably don’t need to worry abt the supplemental docs. Kaya lang, if ung isang late reg birth cert ang ibigay sayo, di ko alam ano dapat gawin. Ask mo na lang ung travel agency kung saan ka apply kasi mas alam nila for sure.

2. Yes, okay lang po yan. Just write a letter explaining bakit iba ung current employer mo sa naka-indicate sa ITR. Nagawa ko na sya before, wala namang problem. Just say that you recently moved to another company.

I received my first birth cert (not late registered) from PSA, and that’s what I submitted to agency. I just also submitted an explanation letter regarding my ITR. And now my boyfriend and I were approved!! I’m so excited. :) Just letting you know.

Thank youuuu! ;)

Wow! Congrats, Che! Saan sa Japan kayo punta? :)

Hello. New viewer here. Nainvite po ako ng friend ko sa Japan, working po sya dun as Engineer she offered na isponsor lahat even my plane tickets at expenses pagdating dun. nahhomesick kasi sya at gusto may familiar face na kasama dun. since hndi available ngaung fall/winter ang family nya ako ang inofferan nya. Btw, may asawa at anak na ko and Freelancer din po ako.. Online ang work ko. however sa work ko po wala kaming napprovide na COE. ung salary po namin is naittransfer lng po online sa kmga bank acct nmin. Working as online auctioneer na po ko since july 2015 pa. sa tingin nyo po ba may chance na maapprove ako for japan? if maapprove po kasi ako gusto ng friend ko is sabay kami uwi. Dec20 uwi sya ng Pinas. thanks po.

**isa pa lng po ung out of d country trip ko. sa shanghai china last yr. nung nanalo po ako ng trip for 2 dun galing sa boss ko. :)

For Japan visa, when you have a guarantor, you don’t need to submit COE or bank certificate. The burden shifts to your guarantor, who should be able to provide the documents from Japan.

More info here: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2018/03/japan-visa-requirements-with-guarantor/

Hello Yosh! Thanks for replying, Nasend na po nya yung original documents na nakuha nya from Japan ung mga certificate po duon.. yung express mail ba yun. Bale now po, waiting na lang po ako marelease ung PSA document ko. Birth cert to be exact. orig birth cert ko po may cross out ung gender ko na female nung kumuha po ako NSO i think 4 or 5 yrs ago nakita namin walang cross out sa gender. i got a ctc from qc city hall na may cross out na sya kaya inaccept dati ni dfa.. then fast forward ngayon 2019 pagkuha ko po PSA ng birthcert wala pa din cross out ung gender part, nagpanotaryo and everything na po para ung document ko maayos na din at hndi na magkaproblema pa sa pagapply ko ng visa. hoping maapprove po ako! :) thank you guys sa guide, npakahelpful nyo po

I badly need some advice.

When I knew about BPI’s promo about their partnership with the Korean embassy for the multiple entry visa, I immediately signed up for a ‘secured’ BPI Gold Mastercard. Ang concern ko lang din talaga ay yung unemployment ko.

What do you think? Should I…

1) STICK WITH THE BASICS. Just stick with the three-month bank statements, bank certificate, and ITR

2) GO BIG OR GO HOME. Continue applying for the gold card. (Although they said it’s not a guarantee that I’ll be granted the multiple entry visa)

3) PLAY SAFE. Apply for a single entry visa with my bank statements + certificate and still secure a gold card so that I can still use it on my upcoming travel and later on I can apply for the multiple entry visa. (How I wish this is an option)

Maybe you can share some advice? :)

I have no idea about the intricacies of an application by someone invited to Korea for a cultural/educational program. I dunno if they’re stricter or more lenient for such cases.

But if I were in your shoes, I’d PLAY IT SAFE for the following reasons

1. Having a GOLD card DOES NOT guarantee being granted a multiple entry visa. Even if you have a card, they CAN still ask for more documents especially given that you’re unemployed.

2. Even if you’re able to get a GOLD credit card, they can still look at your transaction history. If they see that your credit card is new and that you barely had any transaction, that card won’t help your case. I think it can even hurt your case because…

3. Applying for a multiple entry visa when you’re unemployed raises a lot of questions.

These are just what I think. I would still recommend consulting a designated travel agency for a more enlightened take on this.

My concern might be very confusing. But it concerns unemployment, financial capacity, ITR, and credit cards. I hope you can give me an advice. If not, please delete the comment since I’ve stated too many information. Thank you very much! :)

You replied! Thank you very much for replying! I think you are right. At least my mind is at ease. I also think that the ‘unemployment’ part is really suspicious. I should have opted for other jobs while waiting for my license to practice my profession. Anyway, the card will still be helpful for overseas transactions. Thank you very much! I really appreciate it.

(Would like to request my original comment to be deleted since I’ve given too much information. I thought I was able to delete my comment. I hope this is possible. Thank you! I hope you understand. :) )

I removed the parts with a lot of info, but I retained the gist of your question, without the details. Okay lang ba?

Yes! I wish I knew about this blog sooner. Thank you very much! :)

hello, i am planning to visit both Korea and japan ( 4 days + 7 days ) next October. Korean visa is already accepted. I still just need to apply for Japanese visa. The purpose of my visit is tourism only, in addition to meet up with my Japanese friend. we have been online friends since a year and a half. it happened that we both have been able to take time off from work at the same time. i have all the documents needed from my side . ( bank account balance 4000$ , salary, permission from work, flight tickets..) i also have all the documents from my friend’s side including proof of friendship. I am just concerned about the proof since we are online friends. we can only show call logs , chat pictures, video call pictures , letters and gifts sent ( we sent birthday gifts for each others ). i was worried that the amount of money i have won’t be enough . This is why they offered to be my guarantor to help with the extra expenses in addition to a place to stay in. They will also show me around. I can guarantee that i have enough proof for getting back. i’m just worried about the proof of friendship ( i have like 20 pictures which are more than enough i think ).

do you think i should apply as a tourist , or it’s better to say that i have a guarantor. which has higher chance for getting accepted ? I really want this to work, and i really want to see my friend as well.

Your account balance is 4000$? USD?

If so, that’s more than enough. If I were in your shoes, I’d just apply as a tourist. The online friend just complicates your case.

I’m planning to apply a tourist visa sa Canada. Nakausap ko kasi ung travel agency namen at ang sabe kailangan may kasama daw ako sa Canada, like my mom and dad. Hindi kasi ako sure, ang alam ko kasi malaki ung chances of denial pag kasama sila. My dad is an Assistant Vice President on a big company while my mom is a housewife, dependent sya kay dad pero nakapunta na sya sa iba’t ibang bansa icluding US. Below are my details:

Travel History: South Korea = 4 days (Tourist Visa) Australia = 2 months (Working Visa) I was deployed by my company (Disadvantage, hindi nagpoprovide ng stamps ang Australia, I’m thinking of attaching a photo of me on Melbourne, I’ll do the same thing on my SoKor stay)

Medyo weak ang travel history ko :(

Employment Status: Currently working on a very well known international IT company for 5 years. My occupation is Database Administrator, position is IT Operations Analyst. I earn P 35K a month. Meron na akong COE at ITR. Hinihintay ko na lang ung approved leave ko. Oks lang po ba kung ung ipepresent ko na docu for my approved leave is ung email thread po namen na nagpapakita na inapprove na ako?

Financial Status: I currently have P 670K plus (17K CAD plus) on my savings account I already have my bank certificate with me as well as my bank statement. Wala akong one time big time na deposit. Ung pag deposit ko ranges between 5 K to 10 K only. I also decided to get a copy of my payroll account na rin para malaman or makita nila kung saan nanggagaling ung deposit ko.

Only planning on staying sa Canada for 10 days.

Ang problem ko is ung credit card ko, meron akong functioning credit card kaso ginagamit ko lang sya pag nasa ibang bansa ako. Ang rule kasi is kunin ung at least last 3 months of transaction ko with that card eh ung last na transaction ko pa was July – August of last year, that was during my stay in Australia. Pede ko po ba un iexplain sa mga cover letters ko? Nagwoworry kasi ako baka kasi isipin nila hindi ako creditable na person. Ginagamit ko ung payroll account ko sa panggastos ko sa pang araw araw, which is food lang and tricycle.

I’m also 26 years old male and single.

Would like to know your thoughts on this. Sorry for the long post. Salamat po in advance. :)

What’s your purpose in traveling to Canada? Do you know anyone there?

To be honest, your profile is much better than mine when I applied. You also have a lot more funds than I did.

I don’t have any other reason but just to go there and experience winter in Canada. I have my aunt and uncle both from my father side living in Toronto but I don’t have any plans on visiting them. December lang talaga ako pinayagan ng company ko mag leave. Kaya not sure kung malakas ung reason ko na dahil gusto ko lang makatapak at makaexperience ng Canadian culture. Any thoughts about my travel agent saying na magpasama daw ako sa mom and dad ko para mas kapani paniwala daw stay ko? For me kasi parang pag sinama ko sila, baka mapahamak pa application ko.

I think, where they’re coming from is, in theory kasi ay mas lenient ang embassies sa family applications. Mas convincing nga rin kasi sya.

Pero di ko rin alam what to advise you, to be honest. I think your profile is great. Normally, I would urge someone with your profile to just go for it. But apparently may kamag-anak ka dun so baka nasa record nila. When you apply kasi, you need to fill out a Family Information form (parents, siblings) so baka madetect nila ung dad mo (sibling ng aunt/uncle mo). Not sure if they really do this, but I won’t be surprised if they do.

Thanks po for the advice. Let’s see na lang siguro. Mom wanted to play it safe. Sabi nya try na lang daw ung sinuggest nung travel agency. Salamat po ulet ng marami. This is such an experience talaga. Sabi nga nila, matututo ka sa journey kesa sa destination. So I guess I’ll take this as a lesson if in case madeny ako. I’ll try my best na di ko damdamin.

Good luck!!! :)

Additional question. Nung nakalapag po ba kau ng Canada, may mga tinanong pa po ba sila sa inyo na questions?

Thanks, Josh

If I remember correctly, tinanong lang ako until when ako stay. Basta walang ganap yung saken. Mabilis lang.

May mga countries na po ba kayong napuntahan like US nung nag apply po kau ng TRV sa Canada for the first time?

Mostly European and Asian countries + Australia. :)

Additional question ulet hehe. Sensya na. Dun po ba sa Philippine Immigration papuntang Canada, nanggigisa po ba sila dun? Hiningan pa po ba kau ng documents bago tatakan passport nyo po at pasakayin sa eroplano?

Mahirap po for me to say.

Depende po kasi yan sa matatapat na Immigration Officer sa’yo, sa profile mo, and sa demeanor mo pag kausap mo sila.

Hi!!! Just an update for my status!!!! Our Canadian tourist visa application is now approved!!!! Words can’t describe how happy I am right now. I keep pinching myself if this is really true!!!! Thank you so much for you advice!!!! :D

Congratulations! Have fun in Canada!

And please help recommend our blog to your friends! :)

I applied for US Visa twice, the first one was back in 2015 then the recent one was just this Sept. 21, 2019. I think kasi, I am red flag– Single, early 20s and Female.

I was thinking of applying again next year with my OFW father (53y/o). Do you think may chance kapag kasama ko father ko?

Hi! I applied for Korean Visa last September, unfortunately I got denied.

Now, I submitted a re-application in Cebu. These are the following documents I submitted. 1. Standard requirements with COE, ITR with BIR Stamp 2. Approved Visa ,& Passport BIo of my friends 3. Concert Ticket Confirmation (I will be watching a BTS Concert this coming 29th of October) 4. Winning Confirmation & Fanclub Membership. (The concert was a fan club raffle which you required to be a official member & once you won you are enable to buy tickets nearby the stage) 5. duly notarized Affidavit & Undertaking stating that I have no intention to over stay & work illegally. 6. Approved Leave Form good for 3 days. 7. Sample itinerary good for 3 days with costing. Including estimated plane ticket. 8. Hotel Booking Confirmation 9. Offer to Purchase of Lot under my name with attached official receipt which I was purchase last Jully 2019. 10. Cover Letter- telling that I will be traveling to South Korea & the highlight of my trip is to watch the said concert. I also stated that this is my birthday wish since my birthday is on the 7th of this month. :)

– In my cover letter & attached documents, I put markings such as Annex 1 so on & forth just for my arrangements . But I found out the embassy has it own arrangement. My friend who submitted my application arranged it according to embassy want., is it okay that my marking was rumble? In short it was disregarded.

– In my application form, I put intended to stay 3 days, estimated budget is 30K including my Hotel & Plane Fare. My Bank Account has a 77K ? Do you think that this was enough ?

Please check the documents I submitted. if this okay.

I am waiting the results by next week. Hoping for the best! Thank you for sharing your experience. It’s really a big hekp.

Hi Euphoria,

Thanks for sharing.

Medyo pointless na kasi nasubmit mo na. There’s nothing you can do about it na. Wait na lang and hope for the best.

I’m planning to go to Korea this Nov.2019. My concern is that i have no job as of now and my brother who is working in Qatar is going to sponsor my trip however he can only provide salary certificate, COE, working contract. He doesn’t have bank statement but i have my personal bank account. is it still possible to have the visa?

Naku, best to contact the designated agency where you plan to lodge your application para po mas sure. :S

Tbh, in the Who Knows part I think you forgot one important thing. It’s prayer.

My sister was denied for Japan visa but she did not know the reason, but they stamped her visa and encircled the small letter ‘c’. May we know what is the meaning of ‘c’ on Japan visa denial.

Also same as mine, they only encircled the small letter “c” on the stamp.

Hi Nenelyn,

We have no idea. But you said she was denied? What visa did they encircle?

I would like to ask for your opinion po. I’m planning to apply for a Japanese Visa next year but I’m worried about the PSA and Local Civil Registry Birth Certificate. The travel agency told me to just send both birth certificate. Do you think its a big factor for visa denial?

Why are you worried about your birth certificate? What’s the issue?

My name is mary ann i want to ask kung magkakaproblema po b ako sa pag kuha ng working visa taiwan. If may error sa marriage certificate ko. Pero last 2016 n nagvisa po ako ay hindi naman ito na denied. Gusto ko lng po malaman is. Kung nakafile na ito at for finallity nalng ang wait . At may documents naman na naka attached sa marriage contact ko ay maari parin po ba akong ma visahan.

Hi! Sorry po pero wala po akong alam sa working visa.

Hi Sir Yoshke, I forgot to mention hehe. i’m worried cause my PSA is unreadable. The travel agency told me to get a copy from the Local Civil Registrar (which i’ll do once i get my latest PSA) but I’m not sure if its already readable. I asked what if both are unreadable and they told me to just submit both. Does that a big factor of denial?

Hi Angel, I dunno how much it can affect the application. But if I were in your shoes, I would do the same. I would submit both the PSA and the copy from the local civil registrar. :)

Hello po. I’m planning to travel sa UK sa next year where sponsored po lahat ng expenses ng aunt ko but unfortunately I have no ITR since nag AWOL po ako noong March. I was wondering po if okay lang po ba mag provide ng Affidavit or a letter explaining why wala akong ITR in lieu of an ITR? I tried po asking for an ITR galing sa previous work ko and they said na I can just provide the affidavit daw for visa pusposes? Please advise. Thank you!

Hi po, im planning to travel to japan this february 2020. Actually i already applied my visa with my mum yesterday (P.S. OFW from Middle East po kame). Just in case lang po ma reject andame ko kaseng naririnig na comment from common friends na may mga na dedeny for visa approval. If thats the case pwede po ba kong mag apply from manila and how long yung process and if need prior booking + which bank statement do i need to show. All related travel documents are booked na kase sayang naman if ma dedeny ako. We have our air ticket, hotel booking, connection flights. Bali po kase ang aking ticket ay Dubai – Manila – Tokyo – Manila – Dubai.

In terms of travel history po medyo okay naman, for the past 3 years nakapag travel na po ako ng UK, Korea, Hong kong, Macau, Georgia, Singapore.

Hello po I’m interested to travel to Japan via tour package from an accredited agency since it may look cheaper for me. Question lang po what if due to unforeseen event nadeny ang VISA is it possible for the agency to refund the majority of the payment? Kung baga kahit di na 100% refund kahit 10% sa kanila lang as long as I can get something in return dahil sayang naman ang binayad sa airline, hotel and sightseeing package kung dahil lang sa VISA masasayang ang lahat ng nagastos like 30K-50K range din un. I know I should try to ask the agency about it but ang tagal nila mgreply and wala akong makuhang sagot sa mga T&Cs ng website nila. So I thought you guys have an idea for this type of situation. Thanks in advance!

Depende kasi talaga yan sa policy nung agency. Iba-iba kasi ang policy ng agency. So sila talaga ang best to ask.

Hi if I have approved visa last year in China Beijing, then we want again to go to Shanghai, it’s possible to be approved again our 2nd visa for Shanghai, is our 1st visa approved can help

Yep, nakakatulong ang past trips. Sa case ng China, pag second time mo na as tourist, no need to submit financial and employment documents. :)

Hello. I already got my japan visa but the problem is nagkaron kami ng financial trouble suddenly. Might it be a reason for rejection next time mag apply ako? Sana po hindi pero may idea po ba kayo?

Hi Jajaaaan,

Ako di ko pa naranasan personally, pero yung members ng support group namin who had the same experience, di naman daw naging problem na hindi nila nagamit yung visa. Wala naman daw hininging anything and naapprove din ung next application nila. Yung iba, multiple pa ung binigay after.

Dear Sir, My wife’s visa for accompanying spouse visa got denied from the Korean Embassy Twice. The Embassy did not mention any cause for the first time but this second time, they mentioned that the purpose of her arrival in Korea was not clear to them , plus, her present status and economic condition dont confirm that that she would got back from country soon. I , as an inviter, prepared all docs and financial proofs. Now, my question, if she tries for Student Visa (D2) , may she get visa or her previous rejection will affect the next application. She may apply again after six months. She can get student visa ? Thanks for your kind reply in advance

Hello! Really loved reading the article. Puts things into perspective. I just have a question regarding the application form for South Korea Visa Application. If freelancer (i.e. freelance graphic designer/artist, home-based) mas appropriate ba (for consistency sake) na I-check yung OTHERS then write my designated job title or should I check SELF-EMPLOYED?

I searched on the difference of self-employed vs freelancers tas vague yung answers :( it was mentioned that self-employed may mean may sariling office or business ka pero may iba ring nagsasabing under self-employed din naman yung freelancers hahaha. I’m caught up which might be the best one to check na hindi makaka-add sa confusion when I apply.

*hindi makaka-cause ng confusion when I apply and submit the forms and documents.

Here in PH, freelancers are classified as self-employed professionals, so I think self-employed is the right choice, technically speaking.

But I have tried applying for a South Korean visa as a freelancer twice. Magkaiba yung sinagot ko kasi magkaiba yung documents na meron ako at the time. Yung first time was, bagong freelancer pa lang ako so wala akong documents, no updated ITR, etc. But I was able to get a sort of Certificate of Employment from my client, so I answered Employed. Then I just explained it in the cover letter. Di ko alam if tama yun but naapprove naman.

Yung second time, I had all the BIR registration, DTI reg, and latest ITR na so I answered Self-employed. Di rin nagka-problem.

Hi I applied for an Australian Tourist Visa pero denied po for the reason that I don’t have strong ties to return here in PH. I only applied for a short 6-day vacay, attached Cover letter, itinerary, COE with date started working and annual salary, bank cert, payslips, and BIR 2316 but still she isn’t convinced. Could it be that its because I am only working in my current company for 1.2 years? Or is it because the person who reviewed my application was having bad day?haha Please do help me what else do I still need to attach. Thank you.

When you applied, were you invited by someone or were you to visit someone in Australia?

Is your trip self-funded?

I was invited by a friend but I didn’t declare it in my application since I’ll be funding my own trip. I thought its gonna be unnecessary to even include that. What should be the right thing to do?

I would have done the same. If their concern was your ties in PH, declaring that you were invited by a friend would have given them more reason to deny.

Since you weren’t sponsored/invited, I have no clue what the reason was for the rejection. Your profile seems better than most of my friends who were granted visas. haha. You have family naman in PH no? How’s your travel history?

Oh btw, I am considering going to a travel agency for my 2nd application.. can you recommend any good travel agency?

thank you so much.

Yeah, travel history naman isn’t a deal breaker, but it surely helps pag may doubts sila sa other reqs. Anyway, like I said nun sa #10, some cases are really perplexing. Ang hirap ifigure out why na-deny.

Regarding travel agency, we haven’t tried applying for an Aussie visa through one kasi lagi kaming online. But you can check out Constellation Travels. Their Head of Visa Apps used to be a visa officer sa embassies, so they might be able to help. They usually help us when we need clarifications sa mga requirements (pero for other visas yun, not AU).

Yes I do have my entire family here. About travel history that’s what I am concerned about, I don’t have any previous international trips but I know a few people who were able to get a visa grant even though they don’t have any travel history. I even attached a letter explaining why I can’t show any evidence of previous travel.

Hello! I’m so glad that I came across your blog. I find it very informative! Kudos to everyone behind this blog!

Anyway, I plan to travel to Europe in two years (in time for my 40th birthday!). This gives me plenty of time to prepare financially. Even though I’ve been to the US twice already many years ago, and then recently to South Korea, I still feel nervous applying for a Schengen visa. My question is – will my US Visa still add points even if it expired 10 years ago? My record is clean anyway.

Yes, it’s a pogi point if you have traveled to strict countries before. It’s not the be-all and end-all but surely helpful.

I have a 62 year old canadian fiance.. he wants to come here in the philippines so we can marry but the flights are not open yet and still have to quarantine for 14-days.. he wants me to come with him in canada after being married. What will you suggest , should i apply for a visit bisa first so if ever i can come with him or just wait for my spousal visa? Pls. I want to hear from you?

We are planning to go to South Korea for our honeymoon next year March 8-14. Both of us don’t have any international travel history yet but we’re confident naman that we can provide all the documents needed since we both have stable jobs naman. It’s just that nag woworry ako na baka madeny kami. Any tips po ba? Actually we already have plane tickets na. Na-score ko nung nagka- seat sale nung nakaraan. Would that help? Hopefully I can get tips here. Kasi it has been our dream to visit SoKor together and ngayon pa lang I feel anxious about it na. Haha. Thank you

Hi! All our South Korean visa tips are here: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2018/05/new-korean-visa-requirements-application/

My mom wants me to go in Paris. She’s a resident. She lives with my aunties and cousins. I dont know if its possible that, my moms boss wants me to be in Paris to experience tje life. Sponsored by my moms boss. Is this possible? Btw, i work in a bank for 2yrs now at present. Please help

Can I staying establish ment in phillipines?

Is a loan from a bank a reason for the denial of a tourist visa in South Korea?

Hi, I just came across your blog and I’m wondering if it’s still possible for me to get a schengen visa even if I don’t have an ITR? I haven’t got the chance to register yet as a freelancer so my old ITR is still from my corp days. My client wants us to have a meet and greet in Europe but we will be paying for most of the expenses. I’m worried because I don’t have any ITR and I don’t have any properties to show as proof of rootedness. Based on your experience, is it still possible for me to get one or should I just let go and tell my client that I won’t join them?

Wow thank u for ths article. But I would like to ask something. I am planning to visit my bf in UK but I dont want to declare that I am meeting him because we haven’t meet yet. I would say I will apply purely for tourist. I am a bank employee fot 5yrs and I can provide all the documents needed. Also, if ever I will get the visa, I am still going to stay at the hotel that I will book. Question is, are they going to find out I am with my bf or not?

Hai I am olive sordilla, 26 years old, married and one son, I want to apply for a business visa for germany I’m from Philippines, One investor who owned a company came in our province last February we meet in my workplace in a resort, im 2 years in that work a full time employee, we owned a land but it named by my husband, me and my husband have a work. This business man wants to invite and wants to train me how to handle business appointments here in the Philippines because I know the language and culture and if I trained well thats the time that I will handle all the business appointments here in the Philippines. But I’m just thinking about the rootedness sir, what I’m going to do?

If my Schengen tourist visa gets rejected, how soon can I reapply? For example, if I plan to reapply with another country by changing my itinerary.

What can one do if you want to travel and don’t have enough funds but have a car and a land property and have the intention of really coming back and not overstaying

To what country?

Good day,please I have a question about my sponsors bank statement,because I have an appointment with the embassy soon,the financial records are ok but there’s a little problem on his native name,a letter was misplaced ie( the correct name is UKAOBOSI but it was written on the bank statement as UKAOBASI) is it necessary to get an affidavit for the correction of the name or it won’t be a problem.(Note that’s not his surname just a native name)

Hi Cindy. Unfortunately we don’t know the answer to this as we haven’t tried applying via any Hungarian Embassy. :(

And the visa appointment is with a Schengen country (Hungary)

I am glad I was brought to this site as it is very informative. I and my family of 4 (2 kids ages 5 and 7) are planning to visit Japan in December. I have traveled to different countries with a visa prior to having kids but I am worried about applying this time with them. I have a full-time job (been with the company for 15+ years) and my husband is a freelancer. What I am most worried about is the finances. You mentioned the 10,000-per-day rule and I was wondering if the same should apply to kids. We are planning to stay in Japan for 5 days and I wanted to make sure that I am saving up enough money to meet this.

Haha… An entire article dedicated to the struggles abd nightmares of obtaining a Schengen visa. Pity you and the many others here who have to go through the eye of the needle to travel to Europe. Thankfully and fortunately I have a German father which makes me entitled to German citizenship by descent whilst also enjoying the advantages and privileges of the dual nationality system.

I am planning to go to Japan February next year with my partner, I have only been to 2 countries so far, HK and Thailand, I have a stable job and a good income and savings… but I am a little dubious about my stamps… I dont know if it is a big factor for approval…. anyway I hope I get approved I will go back to this comment in January next year :p

Japan is not that strict. Just make sure you meet all the other requirements.

Hi, I’m about to send my application for a Schengen visa (Germany to be exact). My car registration is expired and I’m just about to register it again (which is late already) but my visa appointment will come in first. Should I still include my car registration in the documents I will be giving them or would you recommend to just not include it?

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How To Handle Denied US Tourist Visa (and When To Reapply)

Are you mourning the denial of a US visa application? No problem. This page answers all the frequently asked questions regarding a denied US tourist visa and the reapplication process after the rejection.

My Visa Got Denied. What Happens Next?

The US Embassy will provide a reason for your visa application’s denial. You can assess if the reason for the denial can easily be taken care of. If it is, then you can fix the problem and apply again with better chances of successfully getting a visa.

My Visa Application Has Been Denied. What Can I Possibly Do To Reverse the Decision?

When a consul makes a decision on your visa application, it’s final and cannot be appealed. However, you can improve your personal circumstances and apply again when you have better chances to get a visa.

Tourist visa applicants are assumed potential immigrants unless you can prove that you have strong ties to your home country which is the Philippines.

These are what consuls are usually looking for as an indicator of your strong ties to your country:

• Spouse and children
• Investment , properties, stocks, and a bank account with a huge balance

On the other hand, these are some of the things that might automatically raise red flags: single, female, under 35 years old, unemployed, attractive, and has less than Php 100,000 bank account balance.  

I Was Found Ineligible for a Visa. Can I Get My Money Back?

Unfortunately, you won’t get your money back because the visa application fee is non-refundable .

When Can I Re-Apply for a Visa?

You can apply as soon as you feel like the circumstances which caused the visa denial has changed and you have better chances for your visa to get approved.

For example, if the lack of travel experience was the reason why your application was denied, then you can re-apply again once you’ve traveled to more countries. On the other hand, if the lack of a stable job was the reason why your visa application got rejected, then you can re-apply again once you’ve spent at least 3 years working for the same company.

Some applicants are denied because they’re single. If that’s the case for you, then you can re-apply once you’ve gotten married and started a family.

Is There a Time Limit As to When I Can Re-Apply?

There’s no limit: you can apply for a US Visa as many times as you want.

What Could Make the Consul Change His Mind and Grant My Visa on Re-Application?

The consul will change his mind about your application if any of your social, economic, or family circumstance has improved. If the reason why your visa application got denied has changed and made you more eligible for a visa, then the consul might change his mind and grant you a visa on your second application.

Go back to the main article: How to Apply for a US Visa in the Philippines: An Ultimate Guide

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Trump Travel Ban Suit Brought by Visa Applicants to Move Ahead

By Mike Vilensky

Visa applicants alleging they were unlawfully denied entry to the US under former President Donald Trump’s travel ban can sue federal officials as a class, a judge ruled, the latest development in a long-running lawsuit over the contentious former policy.

The lead plaintiffs have argued since 2018 that Department of Homeland Security officials and other federal agency workers improperly implemented Trump’s restrictions on travel and immigration by ignoring a provision meant to grant waivers to some applicants. The group argues the denial of waivers caused them or their family members dislocation.

The US District Court for the Northern District of California certified as a class a group of people from Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen, who were refused visas pursuant to the Trump proclamation. The class consists of people who didn’t obtain a waiver, haven’t subsequently obtained a visa, and haven’t reapplied for a visa since the proclamation was revoked early in the Biden administration.

“The lack of a properly-administered waiver process is the common course of conduct that caused plaintiffs’ injuries, and the legal grounds for challenging that conduct are the same across the entire proposed class,” said Judge James Donato in a Tuesday order granting class certification.

Donato previously granted summary judgment to the lead plaintiffs on their Administrative Procedure Act claims, saying they had demonstrated that the government’s handling of the waiver program was arbitrary and capricious. He had ordered the parties to settle on a remedy.

The government had told the court it would provide “meaningful relief” to approximately 41,000 visa applicants who were denied a waiver under the travel ban, Donato said in his order Tuesday. The government had earlier proposed it would “notify these 41,000+ individuals directly” and and “advise them that if they wish to reapply for a non-immigrant visa, they may do so without paying a second fee,” according to minutes from a 2023 hearing.

“This all went up in smoke,” however, when government lawyers later said they didn’t agree to specific relief, Donato said.

“Needless to say, this is an egregious record of poor performance by the government,” he said.

The judge rejected the government’s argument that certifying the class would improperly involve the court in the government’s visa decision-making.

“Plaintiffs are not asking for, and the Court will not order, any specific outcomes for any particular visa applications,” he said. “The government’s arguments along the lines that ‘allowing this Court to tamper with individual consular decisions would violate the doctrine of consular nonreviewability’ have zero application and are way out of line.”

He ordered the parties to meet and confer on a proposed remedy.

Trump’s travel ban was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in its 2018 ruling in Trump v. Hawaii with the justices splitting 5-4 along ideological lines.

Muslim Advocates and others represent the proposed class.

The case is Emami v. Mayorkas , N.D. Cal., 3:18-cv-01587, 3/26/24.

To contact the reporter on this story: Mike Vilensky at [email protected]

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Patrick Ambrosio at [email protected]

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Us hits record high in student visa denials.

The rejection figure represented approximately 36% of all applications submitted in last year

A report by the Cato Institute, a U.S. public policy research organization, released on March 19, revealed that the total number of student visas, known as F-1 visas, issued last year exceeded 445,000, an increase of about 34,000 from the previous year.

However, at the same time, the number of visas denied also rose by 30,000 year-on-year.

The denial rate for student visas in 2023 was 36.3% of all applications, the highest since 2013.

Over the past decade, the rejection rate for student visas in the U.S. has more than doubled from 15% in 2014.

According to the Cato Institute, students from India faced the highest number of rejections, accounting for approximately 29%.

David J. Bier, associate director of immigration studies at The Cato Institute, said "The State Department does not separately delineate the reasons for student visa denials but nearly all nonimmigrant visa denials are for failing to prove "nonimmigrant intent" (that is, the desire not to move to the United States permanently)."

He stated that applicants must demonstrate strong connections to their homeland, compelling them to return once their visit's purpose concludes.

"The nonimmigrant intent subjective standard can be enforced in a variety of ways. Consular officers are supposed to only consider someone’s "present intent" not considering how their intention might change if opportunities arise in the U.S. to stay legally. In practice, there is very little consistency in application," said Bier.

One of the requirements for applying for an F-1 visa is acceptance into a U.S. university.

The Cato Institute reports that on average, one student must pay $30,000 annually for tuition and living expenses, which means that the U.S. turned down 253,355 students who would have likely paid roughly $7.6 billion per year in tuition and living expenses.

Over four years that number rose to $30.4 billion in lost economic benefits to the country.

The Cato Institute's report highlights the disparity in denial rates for F-1 visas compared to other temporary visas. Since 2021, the rejection rate for student visas has been nearly double that of all other visa types.

Recent statistics from the Institute of International Education (IIE) show that for the academic year 2022-2023, the U.S. hosted approximately one million international students from over 200 countries and territories, including 21,900 from Vietnam.

Of them, 55% are pursuing degrees in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. Among Vietnamese students, 47.6% choose STEM fields, and about 25% opt for Business and Management majors.

Tuition fees at U.S. universities currently range from $28,000 to $46,000 per year, depending on whether the institution is public or private. International students are allowed to work part-time for no more than 20 hours per week.

Upon graduation, they can stay in the country for 12 months under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program.

For several STEM fields, international students can extend their OPT for an additional 24 months, allowing them to remain in the country for up to 36 months in total.

• Tắt chia sẻ

Passing Thru Travel

10 Visa and Passport Tips for Hassle-Free Travel 2024

Posted: March 12, 2024 | Last updated: March 12, 2024

Embarking on international travel demands meticulous planning, particularly in navigating the often complex landscape of visas and passports. This guide is your essential compendium, offering in-depth insights and strategic tips to streamline your travel documentation process. Tailored for novice and seasoned travelers, it ensures that your focus remains on the excitement of your journey rather than the nuances of bureaucracy.

1. Understanding Visa Types and Their Specific Requirements

Each visa type demands a unique set of documents and prerequisites. Tourist visas, generally the most straightforward, still require proof of return tickets, accommodation, and sometimes a detailed itinerary. Business visas may need an invitation from a host company, while student and work visas often have more stringent requirements, including proof of enrollment or employment.

Transit visas, overlooked yet crucial for certain layovers, must be considered to avoid unexpected detours. Begin your application process early, as embassies and consulates can take weeks, if not months, to process requests.

Insider’s Tip: Familiarize yourself with the different types of visas—tourist, business, transit, student, and work visas—and understand the specific requirements for each. This knowledge can significantly influence the success of your application and the smoothness of your travel plans.

2. Navigating Passport Validity and Blank Page Requirements

The overlooked detail of passport expiration can derail your travel plans. Regularly check your passport’s expiry date and renew it well in advance if necessary. Countries requiring a certain number of blank pages in your passport do so for immigration stamps. Falling short on this requirement can result in denied boarding or entry.

Keep in mind that renewal times can vary, and expedited services, while available, come with additional costs. This is a critical step in your travel preparation, so make it a priority in your planning stages.

Insider’s Tip: Ensure your passport has sufficient validity — many countries require it to be valid for at least six months beyond your travel date. Also, check for blank pages; some countries require a specific number for entry and exit stamps.

3. Visa Application: Timing and Documentation

Timing is everything in visa applications. Start gathering required documents—such as photographs, travel insurance, financial statements, and any necessary letters or invitations—as early as possible. Be aware of holidays and peak periods, as these can affect processing times.

Online visa applications have simplified the process for many countries, but always have hard copies of essential documents when traveling. A common pitfall is underestimating the time it takes for visa processing; each country has its own timeline, and it’s prudent to allow extra time for any unforeseen complications.

Insider’s Tip: Apply for your visa as soon as your travel dates are confirmed. Late applications can lead to stressful delays or, worse, trip cancellations.

4. Health and Vaccination Documentation

Health documentation is increasingly becoming a staple in international travel. Countries in Africa and South America, for instance, may require proof of Yellow Fever vaccination. COVID-19-related health documentation has also become a norm. Always carry a physical copy of your vaccination records and any other required health documents.

The World Health Organization (WHO) offers a standardized ‘Yellow Card’ that shows vaccination history and is recognized worldwide. Not adhering to these requirements can result in being denied entry, so it’s critical to understand and comply with these health mandates.

Insider’s Tip: Some countries require proof of vaccination against specific diseases. Keep a record of your vaccinations and check the health requirements of your destination country.

5. Understanding Visa Waiver Programs and e-Visas

Many countries have agreements allowing certain nation citizens to enter without a traditional visa. For instance, the Schengen Area in Europe allows travelers from certain countries to enter visa-free for short stays.

Similarly, e-Visas, available through online applications, offer a streamlined process for obtaining travel authorization. These digital visas save time and reduce paperwork but always confirm the specific entry requirements, as they can vary even within visa waiver programs.

Insider’s Tip: Check if the country you visit has a visa waiver program or offers e-Visas, as these can significantly simplify the travel process.

6. Dealing with Visa Denials and Appeals

A visa denial can be disheartening, but it’s not always the end of the road. Embassies usually provide reasons for denial, which you should address in subsequent applications. Some countries offer an appeal process, while others require you to wait a certain period before reapplying.

Understanding the specific protocol of the country you’re applying to is crucial. Ensure your reapplication or appeal addresses all the concerns raised initially. Sometimes, seeking the assistance of a visa consultant or an immigration lawyer can provide clarity and improve your chances in complex cases.

Insider’s Tip: In case of a visa denial, understand the reasons provided and the process for an appeal or reapplication, if applicable.

7. Passport Safety and Copies

Your passport is your most valuable document when traveling abroad. Keep it secure in a hotel safe or a secure, hidden compartment in your luggage. Having copies of your passport (the page with your personal information and any relevant visa pages) is crucial in emergencies.

Store a digital copy in a secure cloud service and email a copy to yourself and a trusted contact back home. In the unfortunate event of losing your passport, these copies will be instrumental in proving your identity and facilitating the replacement process at your embassy or consulate.

Insider’s Tip: Keep your passport safe at all times and carry physical and digital copies in case of loss or theft.

8. Cultural Sensitivity and Local Laws

Cultural awareness is a sign of respect and can affect your entry into a country. Some nations have strict dress codes or norms that, if not adhered to, can lead to issues at immigration. Familiarize yourself with these aspects to avoid unintentional offenses. Additionally, understanding local laws is crucial.

For example, countries in the Middle East have stringent drug laws, and carrying certain prescription medications without proper documentation can lead to serious legal troubles.

Insider’s Tip: Research your destination’s cultural norms and local laws, as these can sometimes impact visa and entry policies.

9. Travel Insurance and Visa Requirements

Travel insurance is often a visa requirement, especially for countries in the Schengen Area. This insurance should cover medical expenses, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and repatriation. Check the specific coverage requirements of your destination country and keep a copy of your insurance policy with your travel documents. Not only is it necessary for some visa applications, but it’s also a prudent safeguard against unforeseen events during your travels.

Insider’s Tip: Some countries require proof of travel insurance for visa issuance. Ensure your policy meets the minimum coverage requirements.

10. Consulate and Embassy Assistance

Embassies and consulates can assist with a range of issues — from lost passports to legal troubles. Before traveling, note the address and contact details of your country’s diplomatic missions in the destination country.

In case of an emergency, such as a lost or stolen passport, political unrest, or natural disasters, they can provide crucial support and guidance. It’s also wise to inform them of your travel plans, particularly if traveling to regions with heightened security risks.

Insider’s Tip: Know the location and contact details of your country’s embassy or consulate in your destination country. They can be invaluable in emergencies.

The Bottom Line

Successful and hassle-free travel hinges on your preparedness, especially regarding visas and passports. By following these tips, you’re paving the way for a journey of ease and enjoyment. Equip yourself with this knowledge, and step confidently into your next journey, knowing you’ve covered every essential detail.

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The post 10 Visa and Passport Tips for Hassle-Free Travel 2024 republished on Passing Thru with permission from The Green Voyage .

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Eviart.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.

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Visa, Mastercard agree to $30B deal with merchants. What it means for credit card holders.

Visa and Mastercard earlier this week agreed to a settlement with U.S. merchants, promising to lower the fees stores have to pay to process credit card payments ‒ at least in the near term.

The settlement opens doors for retailers to place surcharges on cards with higher swipe fees, which could make using a premium card with a hefty rewards program more expensive. Some have speculated that the changes could affect credit card rewards, or perhaps allow merchants to pass down savings to customers.

But other experts are skeptical that this could lead to any significant changes for credit card users. 

The settlement doesn’t appear to have “any bearing on the credit card holder,” said Michael Kinsman , an emeritus professor of finance and accounting at Pepperdine University in California who operates a CPA firm in Laguna Beach. 

What did the settlement say?

Visa and Mastercard denied wrongdoing but agreed to a number of changes in the near term as part of the settlement. Among them:

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• The companies will lower interchange rates – the fee merchants have to pay to process a credit card payment, also referred to as “swipe rates” – by at least 4 basis points (0.04 percentage points) for three years. 
• Swipe rates must be at least 7 basis points below the current average for the next five years. 
• Merchants will be able to more easily steer customers to other payment methods, and can impose surcharges on premium credit cards with higher swipe fees.  

The settlement is still subject to court approval, and any changes would not go into effect until late 2024 or 2025, according to a statement from Mastercard.

What does this mean for credit card holders?

Patrick Payne , an associate professor of practice in personal and family financial planning at the University of Arizona in Tucson, doesn’t expect “dramatic changes” from the settlement but believes it could lead to more expensive premium cards.

The cards are already pricey; Chase Sapphire Reserve , for instance, has a $550 annual fee in exchange for perks like access to airport lounge membership and a $300 annual travel credit. The annual fee for the Platinum Card from American Express is nearly $700. 

Premium cards are more costly for merchants, too. The National Retail Federation says swipe fees average about 2% per transaction but can be as high as 4% for premium rewards cards. 

If this settlement is approved, merchants would have the ability to charge customers more for using premium Visa and Mastercard credit cards. 

But it’s not clear stores would want to charge these customers more, according to Lulu Wang , an assistant professor of finance at the Kellogg School of Management in Evanston, Illinois. Making certain customers ‒ especially high-paying customers ‒ pay an extra surcharge threatens to sour relationships and hurt business.

“People talk about some changes it can make for merchants, but those changes seem like such a giant pain … to implement,” he said. 

“If they tried to do that, the customer relations would be just bloody awful. They'd have egg all over their face,” Kinsman added. 

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Will merchants pass down their savings to consumers?

Retailers that accept Visa and Mastercard are expected to save at least $29.79 billion in the five years following the settlement, according to a statement by one of the law firms representing U.S. merchants in the lawsuit. 

In theory, merchants could pass down some of those savings to customers by lowering prices. This could be especially prevalent in smaller businesses, according to Payne from the University of Arizona.

“They might be able to offer more competitive prices to draw people from the big retailers,” he said.  

But other experts say consumers shouldn’t get their hopes up. 

“Most people aren't going to know about (the settlement) anyway,” said Kinsman, the emeritus professor at Pepperdine University. “So why would I, as a merchant, pass those costs back to my customers?”

What will Visa and Mastercard do?

Beverly Harzog , author of “The Debt Escape Plan: How to Free Yourself from Credit Card Balances, Boost Your Credit Score, and Live Debt-Free," said she doesn't expect many changes among credit card issuers after the settlement, in part because the changes aren't a "permanent fix." The three- and five-year time spans give the companies little time to make significant changes, she said.

"It's like trying to turn a giant cruise liner," she said. "It takes a lot of time, and sometimes, by the time they're ready to make that turn, the market has changed again.”

Her caveat? If one credit card issuer does decide to make a change after the settlement – whether that’s raising an annual fee or pushing back on certain benefits or perks – others will likely follow.

“I would watch for that first domino,” Harzog said. “And right now, I'm not expecting that, just because this (settlement) hasn't been finalized. Even if it is, it's a temporary solution and things go back to normal within a couple of years.”

Visa plans to maintain its "rewards and access to credit" if the settlement is approved, according to a statement quoting Kim Lawrence, the company's president of North America, that was released earlier this week . Spokespeople for Visa and Mastercard did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent after normal business hours on Friday.