Studying in world-class universities is the dream of every student. Speaking of world-class education, the US is the top destination for international students across the world. If you are also planning to study in the US, then applying for a Student Visa is an important step in this direction. In this article, we will give you the reasons why your student visa can be rejected.
The F-1 Visa is the most common type of visa issued to international students who wish to do higher studies in the US. An F1 Visa is a non-immigrant visa issued to those who wish to attend a university or college in the US. Apart from this, those who plan to attend high school, language training program, seminary, or private elementary school also issued F-1 Student Visa. Apart from this, people also enter the US with other types of Visas; however, they are not allowed to enroll in any university without an F-1 Visa. Applying for a student visa is a time taking process, so, it is always advisable to apply early in order to avoid any delay that can affect your education.
As per the Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, total number of international students in the US for the academic year 2021-22 stood at 948,519. Nigeria ranks at 14th position when it comes to overseas college students in the US. Moreover, in 2021-22, the number of Indian students increased by 19% compared to the previous year. However, the US student visa rejection rate is still high. For those who want to pursue higher studies in the US, we have listed some of the factors for F-1 Visa rejection
Reasons for US Student Visa Rejection:
- Insufficient finances: Lack of financial proof that confirm the student’s education.
- Potential immigrant: If it is established that candidate can be a potential immigrant then the visa is rejected right away by the visa officer.
- If a candidate is not able to justify the strong establishment/ties to his homeland.
- Inappropriate or false documentation.
- If a candidate is not able to convince/justify his/her intentions to the visa officer then there are high chances of visa rejection. Like if the candidate fails to answer why he/she selected a particular course and college/university. Make sure you are prepared to answer why you selected the particular course and the college/university where you got admission.
- There is a reason why the visa is rejected, at times students who got admission to top colleges also receive visa rejections. There is a reason for visa rejection you need to understand this.
Role of the US Embassy
US Embassy does not issue a visa rejection letter to the candidate. They inform them during the visa interview and give them 2 types of slips:
- 221(g) – This slip is issued when the consular officer feels that he/ she does not have all the information to establish your eligibility for visa. There are two reasons mentioned in section 221(g): incomplete application/ requirement of further documentation, and need of further administrative processing of your application. After the completion of the inquiry, the candidate is informed whether his/her visa is accepted or rejected.
- 214(b) – This slip is given when the candidate’s student’s visa is rejected and there are general reasons for it which are mentioned in the slip. There can be 1 or more reasons for the rejection. The following can be the reasons for rejection of the visa:
- Potential immigrant
- Inadequate finances
- No home ties justified during the interview
Always make sure to prepare well for the interview. Arrange your documents properly and communicate fluently in English. And remember, one can reapply for a US Visa 24 hours after the rejection.
US Student Visa Rejection Reasons FAQs
Q. What points should I keep in mind before applying for a US student visa?
A. Applying to a country of your choice might be a bit overwhelming. You need to minimize your chances of visa rejection. Make sure that your documents are in order and are correct, remember to meet the deadlines for every step of the process, do not produce any false documents, and prepare well for the interview. In addition, do have a backup plan, whether it is for a course, country, or for studying in Nigeria.
Q. What are the steps for applying for a US student visa?
A. The following steps will give you a brief overview of the US student visa application process:
- Apply to a SEVP-approved institution
- After you have been accepted, you will be registered for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). You need to pay SEVIS I-901 fee
- Your academic institution will issue a Form I-20
- Once you have received it, you can apply for a US student visa
Q. What do you mean by “strong ties to my home country” under section 214(b)?
A. The definition of strong ties varies on the basis of country, city, and individual person. Broadly, speaking, strong ties refer to those reasons that will propel you to come back to your home country once your education is over. Some examples include: job, family, property, etc.
Q. Can I reapply for US student visa even after it has been rejected?
A. Yes. In case if your visa is rejected, you can reapply. Students should note the following:
- They will have to submit a new visa application and pay the fee again, except in the case of 221(g) refusals
- In case if they were refused under section 214(b), students should be able to prove significant changes in circumstances as compared to the last situation
My US students visa was rejected. Am I eligible for a refund?
A. Students must note that the visa processing fee they pay is non-refundable. Even if their visa is rejected by the consular officer at the U.S Embassy or Consulate, they still will not receive a refund.
