April 13, 2020

10 Factors that affect the approval of your B1 Visa


Thousands of people apply for B1/B2 (Tourist) temporary visa each year, which allows the visa holder to travel and stay in the U.S. for tourist activities like business, pleasure or medical. However, not all the people applying for the visa get their application approved. There are several denial cases based on different factors. To make sure that the applicant gets his/her visa approved, they must show their “nonimmigrant intent” and should be able to convince the officers that they would leave the U.S. on time.

If you too applying for B1/B2 Visa, and want to get your visa approved, here are 10 factors you should know that may affect the approval of your visa:

1. Income & employment status: If you are unemployed, employed for a short period or do not have any source of income, it could severely hit your case and your visa might get rejected. This is because the officers may think that you could be a burden to the state and may not be able to bear the expenses. This could also employ that you are traveling to the U.S. to find better employment opportunities and settle there. On the other hand, if you hold a good career in your country or have been working in the company for 5 years, it could strengthen your case, demonstrating that you have no intention to stay in the U.S. and could get your visa approved.

2. Family obligation: If you have dependent family members in your home country like wife, kids or anyone who rely on you as a caretaker is a sign of strong ties with your home country. This can work in your favor and get your visa approved. On the other hand, if you are single and no not have dependents, the officer may think that you have no reason to stay back in your home country and may reject your visa application.

3. Property Ownership: Another factor that affects the approval of your visa is property ownership. If you own assets, property or business in your home country, it acts as a sign of strong ties and gives your application more chances to get it approved. On the contrary, if you do not have assets, property, and business in your home country, the officer may think that you have no reason to return to your home country and might want to go to the U.S., settle there and avail the benefits.

4. Travel History: The officer is sure to examine your travel history. If you have traveled to other countries especially first-world country, and did not overstay your visa, it can work well for you! This means that you are trustworthy and follow the visa process properly. On the other hand, if you have a travel history with overstaying your visa, this might go against you and get your visa rejected.

5. Community involvement: If you have community involvement in your home country, this could help your case and get your B1/B2 visa approved. For instance, if you can show that your organization would be deficient if you fail to return, the officer may approve your visa. Similarly, if you are a student and have a full-time college, it acts as good evidence that your intention is to visit the U.S. for some purpose and return back to your home country.

6. Travel purpose: To get your visa approval, you must have a valid reason to visit the U.S. If you simply say that you are visiting for tourism purposes, it is not convincing enough. You will have to be specific while telling your travel purpose. It could be attending a wedding, visit your aunt, attending a conference meeting, spectating an event or concert, etc. Whatever reason you give, you must also have full-proof evidence to build your case stronger.

7. Time Span: If you request to stay for a very long time in the U.S., there is a greater possibility that your visa gets rejected. The officer might think that you intend to find a way to immigrate to the U.S. On the other hand, if you request a realistic time as per your purpose of visit, it would make more sense and could get your visa approved. For instance, if you are traveling for the 5-day conference, requesting to stay for a week or two would make sense instead of requesting a stay for two months.

8. History of previous visas: The officer would check if you have been earlier granted a B1/B2 visa or not. If you have been entered the U.S. with B1/B2 visa previously, and have also returned to your home country on time, without overstaying, this can work in your favor. This implies that you are trustworthy. On the other hand, if you have earlier overstayed your visa, there is a possibility that your visa gets rejected this time.

9. Criminal Record: If you have committed any crimes previously, do not think that you can escape the eye of the officer. During your interview, the officer will have your history and will come to know if you have any criminal record. This can strictly go against you and get your visa rejected. However, in certain cases, if you take help from an immigration lawyer, they can help you get through the process and get your application approved.