The stakes are extremely important for applicants to apply for F-1 Student visas. If you are a young adult accepted into universities, The outcome of your visa interview will decide which university you'll attend for the next four years. The future of your family and your future depend on the outcome of that interview. If you're looking to enter an English language course, the possibility of a promotion to a job or marketability could be in the balance. If you are a graduate student having the possession of an MBA from a US university could be the difference between a booming job or continued stagnation. However, there are many stakes, as well as hundreds of thousands of visa applicants rejected every year. Many applicants don't take the proper steps to ensure they are eligible to be granted the visa.

Categories of Student Visa Applicants

In general, every student visa applicant must prove that he or she 1.) is an authorized student;) can pay for the cost of living and education in the US, as well as three) is a solid ally for the country of origin and is expected to leave once the program has been completed. However, it is important to note that the "strong ties" element is different for consuls based on the kind of student visa applicant: 1.) for a 17-20-year student who is a first-time college applicant, the consul takes into account that the student doesn't have traditional family ties (spouse or children,) or any long-term goals; therefore the emphasis is on the applicant's immediate intentions and academic and familial background.) for an applicant in the mid-20s seeking an MBA or another advanced education, the consultant concentrates upon the student's academic of record, future plans for career and how to study at the graduate level will advance the plans. 3) when a student is a middle-career visa applicant (late 20s to 45), The consul will focus on the applicant's current employment, ties to the country, stability in career, goals and academic program and the ability to finish the program; 4.) in the case of English learners, the consul's attention will depend on the age and background of the applicant as well as whether the English program can be integrated into a long-term plan 5.) for students who are casual or a hobby who could be a domestic worker or whose education isn't directly linked to professional development the consul will concentrate on connections and ties to the home country. 6.) for students in middle or high schooler, consular reviews are inextricably connected to parent-child financial situation and ties. 7.) for students who are returning to the same program of study, the consul will be expected to show respect and let the student continue their studies in the absence of any significant change in the circumstances.

Reasons for Denial

In the nearly 25 years of visa-related practice, We have witnessed the full spectrum of denials to student visas. Although some of the reasons are mentioned within the sibling 214(b) page on this website, below, we have concentrated on the most frequently cited reasons that are used to deny student visas:

1. Country of Origin. The most important factor that determines the outcome of an applicant's student visa is their country of origin. A student who is from an economically stable and stable Germany generally will not face any issues in the least. At the same time, applicants from Afghanistan, Congo, and Uzbekistan have odds against these countries. (The Department of State does not provide statistics on country refusals for applicants for student visas. However, B visa refusal rates are publicly available and provide a rough estimate of how students from these countries are dealt with.) If there is a job that is highly sought-after and awaiting the student's return to an underdeveloped country, it could be difficult to overcome the odds and get a student visa.
2. Ties. As mentioned earlier, the strength of connections is assessed as a function of age. For applicants who are young and their parents' jobs and the "Who's your Daddy?""Testing can be a significant consideration when examining (rightly or incorrectly). If the father of the applicant "works with his hands," the applicant might be perceived to be from a lower-income family and, therefore higher risk of being a potential immigration threat. In the standard-of-living assessment, the consul could be able to treat applicants living in rural areas or smaller towns that have less loyalty and are more likely to refuse than those who live in large cities. In the absence of travel, Eurozone countries can be seen as unfavourable, showing the view of an official, the families' fragile financial condition and lack of discretionary income. This could indicate a "sheltered" applicant who has never been to the world. "Visit some other countries, and then you can 'graduate' to a US student visa" appears to be the mindset of consular officials. If you are a student visa applicant between the ages of 20 and 30, The consul might consider them "tweeners": too old to be considered a fresh student or far too inexperienced to have built employment or have strong ties within the country of origin. Employing a business for less than a year after graduation from university in the home country could indicate instability or wanderlust, making it difficult to grant a student visa.
3. Interview Problems. Since student visa interviews typically take between 2 and 3 minutes, each applicant has one chance to create an impression. It is that initial impression that is important. Although a consul isn't required to evaluate the applicant's English however, the applicant's inadequate English will be considered. Inability to explain the reasons that led to the decision to choose the school could be fatal. A lack of clarity on how a school's curriculum fits into the career goals of students -- and refusing to accept the program is a serious matter. Inability to respond to simple, basic questions (e.g. What will you do following graduation? What do you do with your dad?) is a problem, as are lengthy, rambling responses. The manner in which the applicant is presented during the time of the interview is crucial. Either passive or inert or a lack of interest in the job can tip the balance against a candidate. Poor body language, nervousness or expressions, a negative attitude, looking down impressions, wrong dress or even extravagant attire, are all bad factors.
4. Inadequate or Inadequately Documented Finances. Student visa applicants must demonstrate the ability to fund one year's tuition for the academic program. Consuls in countries that are developing are extremely vigilant to scams in this area. A bank statement confirming an amount of $50,000 into the account of your sponsor two days before your interview will prompt the question of the source and if the funds are actually available to cover the cost of education. Parents-sponsors who hold government jobs that are not well-paid are likely to be questioned. Friends who sponsor may have questions about: how solid is the dedication of the family member? How do you get to know the sponsor of this uncle? When did you last see him?
5. Previous US Visa Denial. While an earlier US visa denial isn't the end of the road for students who are seeking a visa, however, it can be a noticeable negative mark. It is likely your consul is going to examine the reason behind the visa refusal and decide whether that particular motive "translates" to the student visa application. If, for instance, you sought a visa in order to travel to America for a trip to the US in order to go to a wedding of a friend, it is likely that there was a "lack of ties" factored into the refusal as well, which could result in an application for a student visa being denied. If the refusal was made recently and the consul in question is a new one, he could even speak with the previous consul regarding "what happened" at the first interview. The impression that you are seeking an entry visa "by hook or crook" could also be a sign for the consul "Two months ago you tried to go to the US to 'attend a wedding', now you 'want to be a student." The consul will notice that it appears suspicious. There is no way to "solve" a previous B visa issue by requesting one of the visas, F.
6. Change of Status in the US. Many visitors, tourists as well as Summer Work Travel participants, after arriving in America US choose to remain in the US and take up school. They can change their status to attend school. What they do not anticipate will be the "greeting" that they will receive at the Embassy upon returning back home and applying for a student visa. They aren't "returning" students, entitled to deference, but they are first-time students who are applying for a visa. In the worst scenario, the consul could be deceived by the inability to return to their home country following the end of their original status and then impose the 212(a)(6)(C)(i) decision on the student. A different consul could decline the claim under Section 214(b). This is true no matter how long a person has studied in the US and how long is left to finish their studies or how much was spent already on the not-completed education.
7. Section 221(g) Refusal. Although the 221(g) ruling is merely a temporary rejection, however, the consequences could last for a long time. If delays force students to miss an entire semester or cannot return to OPT, then the student may look at other options. Most susceptible to 221(g) are Chinese and Russian STEM students as they are at risk of espionage being at the forefront. The consul's primary concern is the technology listed on the Technology Alert List. Returning home in the middle of the semester to attend a wedding party of a close friend can be a catastrophe for any STEM student seeking a new visa for students. Also, those with names that are commonplace could be required to enter the 221(g) Twilight Zone -stuck in the limbo between visa issuance and refusal. In the event that 221(g) gets extended and if it is deemed to be a matter of urgency, a random lawsuit could be suitable.
8. Visa Consultants/Travel Agents/Notaries. They usually get paid after receiving the visa, and therefore their desire to improve the chances of obtaining the visa does not end. They might provide fake academic certificates or fake or altered bank statements. The problem for students is that this could cause more than a 214(b) rejection, however, but to a 212(a)(6)(C)(i) forever bar. Even if you weren't aware of the fake document, the consul would automatically attribute the knowledge to you, claiming that you are accountable for the actions of your agent.
9. Other Document Problems. If applicants are forgetful and do not provide a required document, like GRE or TOEFL results, or proof of the scholarship or bank statement of the sponsor could find themselves in the wrong spot of the decision on a visa. Although these types of cases could be suitable for the issuance of a 221(g) temporary denial conditional on the submission of an unrequired document, in some cases, the consul who is busy may be less accommodating and may issue a 214(b) ruling.
10. Relatives in the United States. One of the most frequently asked questions during the interview is about relatives living in the US. The DS-160 is not limited to immediate relatives but also other relatives living in the US. If the applicant fails to reveal the name of the relative on the DS-160 could be considered to be an untrue statement and could result in a 212(a)(6)(C)(i) determination. The interview may focus on the way in which the relative settled in the US. If they did so through asylum, this could significantly impact the prospects of the student visa applicant. If the applicant's sister was in the US following the conclusion of a Summer Work Travel program, it could be viewed as to be a strike (a loss of "family credibility"). If the sibling is in the US as an undergraduate pupil, the consul could decide that one sibling located in the US is "enough". The US to be "enough".
11. Filing of Immigrant Petition I-130 for F-1. Student visa applicants who have an immigrant visa filed may face problems. There's a DS-160 form which asks the question directly. Failure to mention the date of filing the petition may result in an indefinite ban. Not indicating the petition may result in other questions being asked, such as: when was the petition submitted? What is the position of the applicant in the immigration visa line? If the applicant is qualified for an immigration visa in the near future, the consular position could mean that they don't require to apply for a student visa since the immigrant visa is expected to be granted in the near future.
12. Suspicious Source of Funds. A "Who's Your Daddy?"When you discover that your father (or mother) and one of his business associates have been able to make "dubious" money, especially when those monies are used for illegal activities, your test could backfire.used to fund the education of a child in the US. If your father is "elite" close to a government that is considered to be a threat to the US or the world, it could adversely affect the consul's choice.
13. Suspicious Courses or Institutions. Certain institutions or courses could cause "red flags" for a consul. Maybe, a consular validation study revealed that students who were granted visas to attend specific schools were unlikely to return to their home countries. A consular feeling that the two-week English language class is simply an excuse to stay in the US could be common. "How much will your English improve in 2 weeks?" is a possible unspoken consular sentiment.
14. Small, Unknown Community Colleges. Although it is true that the "quality" of the institution should not influence the decision of a consul, occasionally, it can. Consuls can be more lenient to the Ivy League school applicant -for example, "must be a serious, smart student" -- as opposed to Community College X in the middle of Nebraska.
15. Mistakes in DS-160s. It's common knowledge that the DS-160 shouldn't contain mistakes; however, experience has demonstrated that these mistakes happen all the time. Cultural differences, language issues or simple mistakes, as well as inexperience with US laws, can contribute to this. For instance, someone might consider themselves "unemployed" because he does not work for a company. However, that person could have been granted the visa had he disclosed the actual circumstances as self-employed, had established his own nonprofit company and had eight employees who worked for the organization. Failure to mention specific countries visited may result in a rejection. The most frequent error is the exclusion of a conviction which has been expunged. This could result in an ordinary 214(b) denial and a false finding (and potential inadmissibility for the crime in question).
16. "Weak" DS-160. The DS-160 isn't a great source of occasions to show in-depth information; however, when there are, a person applying should make use of the space. Failure to use it could result in a rejection. For instance, when a mid-career college student visa applicant seeking an MBA simply outlines her responsibilities in her banking institution as "administration, calculate budget" and remains mute during an interview with the consul, he might not be impressed.
17. Bad Students. The consul might question the application for a visa by an applicant who has poor academic records when living in the States (e.g. poor marks or attendance issues in the Initial F-1 visa).
18. Previously Spent Substantial Time in the US. If a student visa holder was previously a frequent visitor to the US and the consul might consider it "time to spend some time at home" in order to establish bonds to his home country. For instance, a student who attended high school for four years and is huge "Americanized" and now wishes to continue their studies in the US might be confronted with a consular attitude.
19. Worked in the US Illegally. If you're a student visa holder who previously had a criminal record in the US, it is an easy decision for the consul. Not only did the person have a criminal record, and this could be indicative of the financial situation of the applicant and lack of economic connection to the country of origin. The applicant won't be granted a student visa.
20. Arrest in the US. Arrest within the United States will trigger a visa revocation, at the very minimum, grave problems in trying to resolve 214(b). For instance, an Summer Work Travel program participant who is arrested for shoplifting in the US might want to continue their studies in the US the next year. The consul would typically require that a certain amount of time expire before issuing the visa. There might be maturity issues or a decision to penalize the student, or perhaps the consul is simply vigilant: is the person at risk of engaging in criminal activity in the future?