10 Factors

that affect

the

approval of

your B1

Visa

Thousands of people apply for B1/B2(Tourist) temporary visa each year, whichallows the visa holder to travel and stay inthe U.S. for tourist activities like business,pleasure or medical. However, not all thepeople applying for the visa get theirapplication approved. There are severaldenial cases based on different factors. Tomake sure that the applicant gets his/hervisa approved, they must show their“nonimmigrant intent” and should be able toconvince the officers that they would leavethe U.S. on time.

Income & employment status1.

If you are unemployed, employed for a shortperiod or do not have any source of income,it could severely hit your case and your visamight get rejected. This is because theofficers may think that you could be a burdento the state and may not be able to bear theexpenses. This could also employ that you aretraveling to the U.S. to find betteremployment opportunities and settle there.On the other hand, if you hold a good careerin your country or have been working in thecompany for 5 years, it could strengthen yourcase, demonstrating that you have nointention to stay in the U.S. and could get yourvisa approved.

2. Family obligation

If you have dependent family membersin your home country like wife, kids oranyone who rely on you as a caretakeris a sign of strong ties with your homecountry. This can work in your favor andget your visa approved. On the otherhand, if you are single and no not havedependents, the officer may think thatyou have no reason to stay back in yourhome country and may reject your visaapplication.

3. Property Ownership

Another factor that affects the approvalof your visa is property ownership. If youown assets, property or business in yourhome country, it acts as a sign of strongties and gives your application morechances to get it approved. On thecontrary, if you do not have assets,property, and business in your homecountry, the officer may think that youhave no reason to return to your homecountry and might want to go to theU.S., settle there and avail the benefits.

4. Travel History

The officer is sure to examine yourtravel history. If you have traveled toother countries especially first-worldcountry, and did not overstay your visa,it can work well for you! This means thatyou are trustworthy and follow the visaprocess properly. On the other hand, ifyou have a travel history withoverstaying your visa, this might goagainst you and get your visa rejected.

If you have community involvement inyour home country, this could help yourcase and get your B1/B2 visaapproved. For instance, if you can showthat your organization would bedeficient if you fail to return, the officermay approve your visa. Similarly, if youare a student and have a full-timecollege, it acts as good evidence thatyour intention is to visit the U.S. for somepurpose and return back to your homecountry.

5. Community involvement

6. Travel purpose

To get your visa approval, you musthave a valid reason to visit the U.S. Ifyou simply say that you are visiting fortourism purposes, it is not convincingenough. You will have to be specificwhile telling your travel purpose. Itcould be attending a wedding, visityour aunt, attending a conferencemeeting, spectating an event orconcert, etc. Whatever reason you give,you must also have full-proof evidenceto build your case stronger.

7. Time Span

If you request to stay for a very longtime in the U.S., there is a greaterpossibility that your visa gets rejected.The officer might think that you intendto find a way to immigrate to the U.S.On the other hand, if you request arealistic time as per your purpose ofvisit, it would make more sense andcould get your visa approved. Forinstance, if you are traveling for the 5-day conference, requesting to stay for aweek or two would make sense insteadof requesting a stay for two months.

8. History of previous visas

The officer would check if you havebeen earlier granted a B1/B2 visa ornot. If you have been entered the U.S.with B1/B2 visa previously, and havealso returned to your home country ontime, without overstaying, this can workin your favor. This implies that you aretrustworthy. On the other hand, if youhave earlier overstayed your visa, thereis a possibility that your visa getsrejected this time.

If you have committed any crimespreviously, do not think that you canescape the eye of the officer. Duringyour interview, the officer will have yourhistory and will come to know if youhave any criminal record. This canstrictly go against you and get your visarejected. However, in certain cases, ifyou take help from an immigrationlawyer, they can help you get throughthe process and get your applicationapproved.

9. Criminal Record

10. Paperwork and supporting documents

Another important thing that directly affectsthe fate of your visa application ispresenting appropriate documents and filingof paperwork. As USCIS lays strictrequirements and eligibility criteria to applyfor any visa, you must be able to present allthe documents correctly and should also beable to present all the supporting documentsto back you up. For eg, your employmentletter, salary slip, wedding invitation card ifyou are going to attend a wedding, etc.Whatever reason you give, you will have topresent the appropriate documents to getyour visa approved.

Now that you know what factors can changethe fate of the B1/B2 visa application, makesure to be prepared in advance and takethe help of your immigration lawyer to getyour visa approved!