What happens if your visa application is rejected

Find out what to do if your visa is denied, and learn if you are eligible for a waiver of grounds of inadmissibility.

When you interview for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate, a consular officer decides if they will accept or deny your application. If they deny your application, you have the right to ask:

• Why your visa application was denied
• If you are eligible for a waiver on the grounds of inadmissibility (if the waiver is approved, you may be issued a visa)

• How to qualify for a visa
• Reasons you might be ineligible for a visa
• If you can reapply for a visa
• How to apply for a waiver on the grounds of inadmissibility

LAST UPDATED: December 8, 2023

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