Visa Refused? Here’s Exactly What Happens After the Interview

1. Figuring Out Why Your Visa Was Refused

The person at the consulate will usually tell you why your visa was refused and then give you a letter that says your visa was refused.

• Section 214(b) is the common reason for a visa refusal. This means you did not show enough ties to the United States of America or your home country or you did not make it clear that you plan to return to your home country.

• Section 221(g) is not a no. This means your visa application is not complete or it needs processing.

• Section 212(a) usually means there is a problem with the law, your health or security that makes you not eligible, for a visa. The visa application is refused because of these reasons.

2. You Get Your Passport Back Right Away

When your application is not approved the consulate does not keep your passport. You take your passport home with you on the day you go there.

• The idea that they put a stamp in your passport when you are rejected is not true. Most consulates, like the one for the U.S. do not put a "Rejected" stamp in your passport. They keep the record, on a computer instead.

Visa applicants deal with the stress of a refused application, contemplating their next steps in a consulate waiting area.

3. Your Visa Fee Is Not Refunded

• The Visa fee that you pay is not going to be given back, to you.

• Visa application fees, also known as MRV fees are fees that you cannot get back. You cannot use them for something else.

• If you want to apply for a Visa you will have to pay the full Visa fee again.

• The Visa fee is used to cover the cost of doing all the paperwork and the time you spend at the interview no matter what the result of your Visa application is you will not get the Visa fee back.

4. Your Application Record Stays, in the System

The notes the officer wrote down during your interview are kept in a database.

• When you go for another interview the new officer will see why you were turned down before.

• Consistency is important. Don't change your story, like your job or family details just to seem like a fit.

• This can look like you are trying to trick them which's not good.

• Be honest. Stick to what you said before.

5. You Can Apply Again Anytime

There is usually no time limit that says you have to wait before you apply again.

If you apply again the very next week and nothing has changed it is very unlikely that you will be successful this time.

• The best thing to do is to wait until you have something to show.

• The Strategy for this is that most experts say you should wait until you can show that something about your situation has really changed.

• The Exception, to this rule is if you were turned down under 221(g). In this case you can apply again soon as you have the documents they asked for.

6. What Change in Circumstances Means

To get approval after your application is rejected you need to show that something big has changed for the better in your life. This could be things like getting a promotion or a higher salary. You might have bought a house or started a family. Maybe you have a plan for your trip now. You could have a reason for traveling like a student waiting for a different semester to start. Change in Circumstances is, about showing that something important has changed for you.

7. Don't Worry About One Rejection

Many people who travel, study or own businesses have been rejected before. It's a hurdle, not a stop.

Use this time to check your DS-160 for mistakes.

Practice your interview answers to be shorter and clearer.

Focus, on showing your connections to your hometown clearly like your family, friends and job.

Good Luck.