USA Student Visa (F-1 Visa) Rejection Reasons
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Applying for your US student visa soon and don't want anything to go wrong? Check out the reasons why your student visa can be rejected to plan your preparation accordingly. Also, we will help you avoid common pitfalls to increase your chances of approval. Start your visa journey on the right foot with our in-depth guide.
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 programs, seminary, or private elementary school are also issued an F-1 Student Visa. Apart from this, people also enter the US with other types of Visas; however, they are not allowed to enrol in any university without an F-1 Visa. Applying for a student visa is a time-consuming process, so, it is always advisable to apply early to avoid any delay that can affect your education.
What is USA Student Visa Rejection Rate?
As of 2024, the US student visa rejection rate stands at 36% as per The Financial Express. Around 253,355 student visas were rejected by US Consular officers in 2024. The USA student visa rejection has increased by 2% in 2024 from 34% in 2023. The reason stated by the US Consular officers for the 2024 high student visa rejection rate is 'nonimmigrant intent' which means, applicants did not show enough evidence that the students would want to go back to their home country after they are done with their study program in USA.
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While this is one reason why F-1 visa gets rejected, there are many others. In light of the highest record-breaking US student visa rejection rate in 2024, we have compiled some of the most common reasons for USA student visa rejection reasons.
Top 12 Reasons for US Student Visa Rejection
At large a lot of student visas for the USA are rejected even for the slightest of the mistake. Some reasons are justifiable while others may be inexplicable. Let us understand the reasons for US visa rejections in the section below:
Reason 1: Insufficient finances
Lack of financial proof that confirms the student's education. Students who do not have sufficient funding available to study in USA, can get rejected. It is mandatory, that applicants show proof of finances for at least the first year of study. Check out How much bank balance is required for US student visa?
Reason 2: Suspicious Sources of Funding
Applicants whose parents have earned money illegally and pose threats to suspicious funding for the applicants can also be rejected. If applicants falter on questions based on funding and are unable to explain the source of funding will also be rejected.
Reason 3: Potential immigrant:
If it is established that the candidate can be a potential immigrant then the visa is rejected right away by the visa officer. This can be when the applicant admits he/she wants to stay on in USA for a job or has plans to take up short courses and not return home.
Reason 4: Ties
If a candidate is not able to justify the strong establishment/ties to his homeland, then this can be a major threat to student visa application acceptance. The applicant who also shows restraint ties with one's country because of lower opportunities or political upheavals can also lead to student visa rejection.
Reason 5: Documentation
Inappropriate or false documentation is the biggest risk an applicant can take. In case of false submissions, an applicant can be barred from applying for admission again as well. So, applicants should ensure that they submit authentic documents and not fake ones to avoid US student visa rejection chances.
Reason 6: False Intentions
If a candidate is not able to convince/justify his/her intentions to the visa officer then there are high chances of visa rejection. 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.
Reason 7: Interview Problems
In case the applicants have not fared well in the interview, their visa applications can be rejected. There can be numerous reasons why the applicant can get rejected at the interview level it can including:
- Under or overconfident
- Inappropriate dressing sense
- Facts being incorrect
- Lying
- Inexplicable body language
Reason 8: Visa Denial in the Past
In case the applicant in the past has gotten their visa rejected then this can also be a deciding factor in whether the applicant's visa should be rejected or not but the decision is taken on valid grounds only.
Reason 9: Funding Suspicion
There can be suspicious sources from which the applicant may be getting funding, and this can act as an eye-opener for the interviewer. Applicants can be rejected based on this reason also, hence applications can be rejected.
Reason 10: Poor Academic Record
For those with poor academic records applying for top US universities can pose a threat to student visa acceptance. Whatever the reason may be for poor academics, if the reasons are not justifiable then the visa application will be rejected.
Reason 11: Separate Applications from Dependents
In case the applicant is a dependent of an applicant who is already in the US, instead of applying through the main applicant the dependent is applying separately, his/her visa application can be rejected.
Reason 12: Relatives in USA
For those who do not disclose about their US relatives in the DS-160 form can also be rejected. The reason being, the applicant can be grilled about how and when the relatives settled in US and may require family details about the applicant's family.
Other US Visa Application Rejection Reasons
Apart from the above-given common reasons for US visa rejection, there can be others such as:
- Applicant's inability to apply for the US student visa within the stipulated time period.
- Social media accounts point towards the fact that the applicant may be a drug addict or if he/she exhibits a persona which does not fit in with a serious student.
- For those who have relatives in the USA and if the applicant shows that they will be staying with them or have close ties with them, they can still get rejected.
- If the applicant applies through an agent, then he/she may be given a 212(g) rejection slip or their visa may be rejected.
- For those who stayed in the US and came back to strengthen ties with home but want to return back to the USA can also lead to a student visa rejection.
Thus, there is always a reason why the visa is rejected, at times students who got admitted to top colleges also receive visa rejections. There is a reason for visa rejection you need to understand this.
Role of the US Embassy in US Visa Rejection
The 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) Rejection – This slip is issued when the consular officer feels that he/ she does not have all the information to establish your eligibility for the visa. There are two reasons mentioned in section 221(g): incomplete application/ requirement of further documentation, and the need for 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) Rejection – This slip is given when the candidate’s student 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 were 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. My US students visa was rejected. Am I eligible for a refund?
Q. Can I reapply for US student visa even after it has been rejected?
- 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
Q. What do you mean by “strong ties to my home country” under section 214(b)?
Q. What are the steps for applying for a US student visa?
- 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 points should I keep in mind before applying for a US student visa?
Q: What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?
Q: Is MIT costly for Indians?
MIT is not costly for Indian students. Applicants can study BTech program at affordable tuition fees as compared to other BTech colleges in the USA. The MIT BTech fees is around INR 50 L to INR 52 L.
Q: What GPA is required for the University of South Dakota?
The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.
Q: Is University of Minnesota Morris hard to get into?
According to various sources, University of Minnesota Morris has an acceptance rate of around 78% making it moderately selective for admissions. Some of the general admission requirements for international students are given as follows:
- Overall Student's GPA
- Letters of Recommendation
- High School Class Ranks
- Additional Academic Record
Students are required to apply for admission according to the deadlines given on the official university website.
Q: Is Texas A&M Commerce a good university?
Texas A&M Commerce is regarded as one of the top public universities across the United States. Moreover, the Texas A&M Commerce ranking 2024 under the category of Best Colleges is National Universities is #369. Also, the acceptance rate of this university is 42%. Additionally, the university offers the best academic programs, expert faculty, job & placement, and more. Besides, Texas A&M University-Commerce also offers over 130 academic degrees for its students.
Q: What are the requirements for admission into Purdue?
Purdue University application must have the following components:
Undergraduate Admissions
- The application itself
- Purdue-specific questions from the application
- Self-reported high-school grades
- Self-reported SAT or ACT scores (if applicable)
- Application fee
Steps to apply for Purdue University Undergraduate Courses
- First of all, complete and submit a Common application as per the Purdue University application deadlines
- Make sure that Purdue University receives all material required to complete the application
Graduate Admissions Steps
- Firstly, check Purdue University entry requirements
- Then, create an application account to start the application
- Choose the campus and course as per the preference
- Then, submit the results of the tests needed for the graduate program
- Prepare the additional documents based on the graduate program
- Lastly, pay the non-refundable application fee to submit the application. Purdue University graduate application fee is USD 75 for international applicants
Q: Is it expensive to study in UT Tyler Texas?
Annual tuition fee required to pursue a degree course at Indiana State University is around INR 15 L on an average, which can be considered affordable as a study abroad option. Students can refer to the table for course-specific fees requirements:
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
BBA (5 courses) | INR 10 L - 15 L |
MBA/PGDM (4 courses) | INR 12 L - 14 L |
BSc BTech (5 courses) | INR 15 L - 18 L |
MIM (3 courses) | INR 12 L - 14 L |
BBA (4 courses) | INR 15 L - 17 L |
BSN (1 course) | INR 15 L |
BSc (1 course) | INR 15 L |
Q: Is Canada or USA cheaper to study?
International students are more likely to receive financial help or scholarships from Canadian universities than from American ones, which is quite uncommon. Furthermore, tuition at Canadian institutions is typically 27% less expensive than that of US universities. However, some United States universities offer international students Financial aid and other scholarships that help them to study in the United States.
Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i... Read Full Bio
A postgraduate in English Literature from Jamia Milla Islamia, Niha has been associated with the education industry as a student counsellor for the past eight years now. Her expertise in customer service, communicat... Read Full Bio
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There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.