Can I get the money I paid for my visa back if I am ineligible?

Unfortunately, the government will not return the application processing fee since it is non-refundable. Therefore, if you choose to reapply for the visa, you will need to pay the application fees again (non-refundable whether or not that visa is approved).

Is there an appeal process after receiving a 214(b) denial?

While there is no appeal process, nothing stops you from reapplying and showing new credible evidence to the immigration official. The burden falls on you to prove that you would be a good candidate for the visa and that you have no intentions of remaining in the U.S. To ensure the highest chances of getting an approval the second time around it’s advised to seek counsel from an immigration attorney.

If I bring more documents, do I have a better chance of getting approved?

Not necessarily, but the documentation you bring is important for the officer to get a comprehensive picture of your case. Be sure to carefully review the documentation with your immigration lawyer before the interview.

What do “strong ties” mean?

Strong ties refer to an aspect of your life that keeps you rooted in your country of residence. These can include jobs, family, home, bank accounts, financial responsibilities, etc. Any indication (economic, social, cultural) that you will not abandon your country after visiting the United States on your visa can be beneficial to provide immigration officials. You can include documents like property titles, bank documents, marriage documents, salary declarations, etc.

Who can I talk to if my family member or friend was denied a visa under section 214(b)?

While you cannot talk directly to the Department of State about someone else’s visa decision, you can recommend to your friend or relative to reexamine the information they provided to immigration officials and if they left out any information if they included specific details about the strong ties to the country of residence and tell them that they can reapply again.

What is Section 214(B) for a U.S. visa?

Section 214(b) is a part of the Immigration and Nationality Act, making you ineligible to receive a nonimmigrant visa based on a presumption of being an intending immigrant or not meeting one of the other eligibility requirements for the visa category you applied for.

What is visa revocation?

Consular officers will sometimes carry out what is called visa revocation based on “new information that came to light after visa issuance.” The new information must create enough doubt that officers can construe that the visa applicant no longer qualifies for the visa and can be denied under the 214(b) eligibility requirements.

How do you get over 214(b) rejection?

It is possible to have certain visa ineligibilities overcome with the proper documentation. Similarly, you can reapply if your visa application was denied the first time but be sure to bring the best supporting evidence for your case. To follow through with reapplying, contact the U.S. consulate/embassy in your country and ask them about the steps. Before going through with the application, examine if there are any important considerations that the officer missed for your situation and, if possible, provide additional evidence to support your situation.

I was denied under 214(b) as a student. What should I do?

If you are a student and were denied a visa, then either you did not demonstrate that you were a bonafide student, you had the financial support to pay for your studies in the U.S., or that you had strong enough ties in your home country to have the immigration official feel confident you would return after your visa elapsed. With that said, you can reapply for the visa. If you choose to do so, you should bring adequate evidence to the officer demonstrating that you have every intention to leave the U.S. after you complete your studies. The I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, is one useful document that you can bring. If you indicate to the officer that you have an intention to pursue your career in the U.S. after your studies are over, you will likely be denied.

Why can’t I get a tourist visa if I currently have an immigrant visa that is pending?

Should you currently have an immigrant visa pending and attempt to simultaneously get a tourist visa, that will be a red flag for officials because you clearly intend to immigrate to the U.S., which warrants disqualification of a tourist visa under section 214(b) of the INA. Moreover, having a spouse who lives permanently in the U.S. will also raise suspicion of your intent to stay in the United States if granted a tourist visa. Therefore, if you find yourself facing these challenges, it is imperative to have a qualified immigration professional help bolster your case.

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What Section 214(B) Visa Denial Means

Shilpa Malik

Sabrina Saada

Last Updated On: January 17, 2024 | Published On: August 15, 2022

This image represents someone being denied a visa approval.

Has your visa been rejected by a consular officer under Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act? Millions of visas are denied each year under this section of law. If this is your scenario, you may be confused and wondering what that means and if there is any way to get around it. U.S. immigration law is set up where the burden falls on the visa applicant to demonstrate that they do not intend to stay permanently in the United States and meet the requirements to receive the visa. In this post, we will explore what 214(b) refusal means and how it may apply to the considerations of your visa application even if you received a 213(b) slip. Keep in mind that rejection under this section applies to family immigration and employment-based immigration.

What is the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) 214(b) Section?

According to the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs, Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act states:

Every alien (other than a nonimmigrant described in subparagraph (L) or (V) of section 101(a)(15), and other than a nonimmigrant described in any provision of section 101(a)(15)(H)(i) except subclause (b1) of such section) shall be presumed to be an immigrant until he establishes to the satisfaction of the consular officer, at the time of application for a visa, and the immigration officers, at the time of application for admission, that he is entitled to a nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15). An alien who is an officer or employee of any foreign government or of any international organization entitled to enjoy privileges, exemptions, and immunities under the International Organizations Immunities Act, or an alien who is the attendant, servant, employee, or member of the immediate family of any such alien shall not be entitled to apply for or receive an immigrant visa, or to enter the United States as an immigrant unless he executes a written waiver in the same form and substance as is prescribed by section 247(b).

Essentially, it is the officer’s responsibility to determine if you qualify to get a temporary visa based on the information you provided and their short interaction with you. One of the primary consideration factors in deciding if you have the intention to abandon your country of residence and stay in the United States. For that reason, having “strong ties” to your country is important to establish with your immigration case. These ties can be a career, a family to take care of, real estate, other commitments, etc. If, for example, you are unemployed, not married, and do not have children or own any real estate, these could be red flags from the consular officer’s point of view that you may be an intending immigrant. Strong ties for a minor can mean things like educational plans, grades, etc.

The rejection means the visa you applied for was not approved based on one facet of the immigration