The denial of your Student Visa to study in the US comes after months of thorough applications, document gathering, and visa interviews. There is hope and advice despite your disappointment and discouragement. The following is advice from Shorelight’s Enrollment Services manager, Chris Cheng, on how to proceed in the event that your student visa application is rejected.
Cheng assists overseas students with university enrollment, as well as with visa applications and interviews, as part of his job description. He witnesses daily the struggles that students have when trying to fulfill the requirements for a student visa to the United States and the disappointment that might accompany a denial.
First, let’s go over the fundamentals of obtaining an F-1 visa to study in the United States before we get into his advice on how to reapply after a rejection.
Student Visas:
Studying in the United States is possible with a student visa. F-1, J-1, and M-1 student visas are issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Your USA student visa requirements depend on the type of institution or program you plan to attend.
You will first need to apply to and be admitted to a US university or program approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Upon admittance to an accredited program, you can apply for your student visa. The university will issue you with an I-20 form (for F-1 and M-1 student visas) or a DS-2019 form (for the J-1). These forms provide crucial information about your program, including start and conclusion dates, cost breakdowns, and alternatives for financial help.
Applying for a student visa is an intricate procedure and requires plenty of comprehensive documentation. Be sure you have all your documents in order before you begin the application process. As soon as you submit the DS-160 form, contact the nearest US embassy or consulate to schedule your interview. It can take weeks to get an appointment and any delay could put your program start date at danger.
Types of Student Visas:
As a citizen of a foreign nation, you will need to secure a student visa to study in the United States. Your degree of study and the type of school or program you are planning to attend will decide whether you require an F-1, J-1, or M-1 visa.
F-1 Student Visa:
The F-1 student visa is the most prevalent student visa for USA study abroad programs. The F-1 visa allows international students to enroll at US universities that offer academic degree-bearing programs. Language programs, high schools, and other academic programs also fall under this category.
J-1 Visa:
The J-1 student visa is for international students who will attend exchange programs at a US institution or institute. The program you will be attending must be approved by the Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and your attendance must be financed by a designated State Department sponsor.
M-1 Visa:
The M-1 visa is intended for students undertaking non academic or vocational education in the US, such as cooking school, technical training, medical coding, cosmetology, massage treatment, plumbing, or automobile repair. The institute must be SEVP-certified. Only 7% of SEVP-certified schools could accept M-1 students for 2022.
Most Common Reasons for Student Visa Rejection:
When submitting an application as part of your USA student visa requirements, you will need to testify to and prove a number of things in your F-1 student visa interview, including how you will finance your education, your ties to your home country, your intent to return, your specific degree program, and why you chose your university.
There are a lot of reasons for a visa to be denied. Your visa denial letter will specify the cause, albeit it may not be too explicit, depending on the category. While Homeland Security does not reveal official figures, it is anticipated that the USA F-1 Visa rejection rate in 2022 was roughly 34.93%, but the proportion varies greatly per nation.
Now let’s go into the most common F-1 visa refusal reasons:
If you cannot show the consular official that you have the financial means to pay for your study in the US, you will not acquire a student visa for USA degree programs.Students are required to provide the financial documents to prove they have enough finance support for their study and living [expenses],” explains Cheng. “The financial documents need to cover at least one year of expenses including tuition, insurance, dining, living, books, and miscellaneous.
Lack of proof of suitable finances is one of the top F-1 visa rejection reasons. You must also be able to show you have access to funds for your full program. In the US, bachelor programs tend to take four years and master’s studies tend to take two years.When students and their parents are preparing the financial statements, they also need to prepare the amount of total expense for the entire program, not only for one year, and show they have the means,” says Cheng. “If they have any siblings, they need to be very clear about how much money their siblings need as well.
No Intent to Return Home:
One of the commonest visa denial reasons is the failure to demonstrate your ties to your home country and your “intent to return home.” The consul officer conducting your visa interview will ask you about any family in the US, social circles and property in your native country, and your professional goals following graduation.
Some students can’t provide a clear answer when the visa officer asks their plans after graduation,” adds Cheng. “This may cause the visa officer to doubt your intent to stay in the US. You need to clarify precisely what kind of career you aim to do after graduation.
Cheng suggests to have this answer fully prepared, especially if you are from a high-risk nation or have relatives in the US. In your answer, you may wish to specify the type of positions you plan to apply to or even name specific companies you want to work for. If you have plans to be engaged or married, or buy a home upon graduation, you could include that as well.
False, Incorrect, or Missing Documents:
Documentation that doesn’t match your initial DS-160 application form or the university’s I-20 will be an obvious red flag for visa officers.Be sure to make the school information and academic program information exactly same as it shows on the I-20,” adds Cheng. “Make sure to fill in all the experiences. The DS-160 demands the candidate to present all the studies and employment experience, usually for graduate students.
Cheng suggests to take note of all the documents and copies you need for the visa interview. For example, merely providing a bank statement, and not other essential financial records, including parents’ salary certification, loan letters, and proof of assets could result in your visa being denied for lack of resources.
Did any information on your I-20 alter after submitting your application and scheduling your immigration interview? Send an update to the embassy and file a new I-20. And of course, always pay the SEVIS (I-901) cost and bring your proof of payment to the interview.
Academic Program:
Another of the most common visa denial reasons is choice of academic program, inadequate academic performance for that field, or failure to convince the consular office of your interest in and knowledge of the program.
The education system in the US is so different [from other countries], and many students don’t have a solid understanding regarding the programs and universities. A lot of graduate students are denied because they can’t answer the academic-related questions well, says Cheng. Choice of academic curriculum can also be a flag for students from China, Russia, and other high-risk countries with a history of material patent difficulties.
Practice your answer in English why you choose your topic of study also known as a major in the US and why you wish to study in the USA at your specific university. Is the faculty renowned? Does it have excellent program rankings for that major? Does this college boost your professional outcomes if you return to your native country? Write out your response and know it by heart.
Late Application:
Your visa status is connected to your program start date. There is no particular timeframe by which your visa application has to be filed, however you should allow up to two months (or more depending on where you are applying from) for your application to be assessed and your visa interview to be scheduled. Wait periods at consulates and embassies might vary from nation to country.
You are putting your F-1 approval at risk if the issuing consulate believes you will not be able to plan travel and start your program on time.
Country of Origin:
While your country of residence is not cause for getting your F-1 visa denied per se, certain sections of your application may be evaluated more carefully than others based on your country of origin. Visa risks vary by country, and students from specific countries will be asked different questions during their visa interview.
For example, students from China are mostly asked [about] their academic information, but students from India are mostly questioned about the financial situation since there is a huge number of Indian students applying for education loans,” explains Cheng. Other examples can be if your nation of origin is not as economically developed or is less politically stable.
Can You Appeal a Visa Rejection?
One of the first questions overseas students ask us is can you appeal a US visa denial. The simple and terrible answer is no – there is no such thing as a US visa denial appeal.
If the US consulate denies the F-1 visa application, that’s final. There is no appeal process,says Cheng. But there is good news regarding what to do if your student visa is denied: you can reapply.
Prepare Self Before Applying:
Students should always be clear about the reason they got a rejection,” says Cheng. Go over the paperwork with a parent, engage an education advisor, repair any errors, and gather any necessary evidence before starting a fresh application.
Your rejection notice will tell you the major category for the decision, but may not state explicitly what you said in your written application or visa interview to make the consul officer doubt your potential risk.
FAQ:
- A student visa renewal is the process of extending your current student visa so that you can continue your education in the same country. It allows you to remain in the nation lawfully for the duration of your academic program.
- It’s suggested to start the renewal process at least 2-3 months before your existing visa expires. This provides you adequate time to gather documentation, complete any required forms, and address any potential concerns.
- What documents are normally necessary for renewing a student visa?
Commonly necessary documents include:
- A valid passport
- Your current student visa
- Proof of continuing enrollment at your educational institution
- Proof of financial assistance
- Recent pictures (if required)
- Any other papers specified by the immigration authority
- You can discover full information on the official immigration website of the nation where you are studying. Your educational institution’s foreign student office may also provide help.
- Most countries offer an online application process, however others can require paper paperwork. Check the immigration website for the exact procedure. Ensure all relevant fields are completed accurately.
- Yes, there is normally a charge associated with the visa renewal process. The amount and payment options will be mentioned on the immigration website or application form.
- Some countries need an interview as part of the renewal process. Check the immigration website or contact your local embassy or consulate to determine if this is necessary.
- If your visa expires while your renewal application is still being processed, you may be obliged to stay in the country under a temporary status. Ensure you apply well in advance to avoid any difficulties. Contact the immigration authorities if you’re unsure of your status.
- Typically, you must alert the immigration authorities if you change institutions. You may need to supply additional documentation or follow certain processes for the renewal process in this instance.
- If your application is declined, you will receive a notification with reasons for the refusal. You may have the opportunity to appeal the judgment or reapply. Contact your educational institution’s international student office or a legal counselor for assistance.
- Most immigration departments give a mechanism to track your application status online. Check the official immigration website for monitoring options or contact their office for updates.
- For any additional questions, contact the immigration authorities of the country where you are studying, or reach out to the international student office at your educational institution for advice.
