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Common Reasons for Visa Rejection: Why Does a Visa Get Rejected?

Team AckoSept 13, 2024

A visa plays a significant role if you are planning to travel to any other country. You might not be allowed to enter the country if you don’t have a visa. Therefore, you must take the entire visa application process quite seriously and be aware of the reasons for rejection.

Now, the visa application process differs across countries, and there can be multiple reasons for facing a visa rejection. If you are wondering why your visa got rejected or want to safeguard yourself from further visa rejections, this article is for you. Read on to know everything about the different reasons for visa rejection.

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There can be multiple factors for facing a visa rejection. If you are wondering why your visa got rejected, or want to safeguard yourself from visa rejections, this article is for you. Read on to know everything about the different reasons for visa rejection.

Common Reasons for Visa Rejections

There can be a considerable number of visa refusal reasons. The visa application process is rigorous, as they check for every detail and match it against all kinds of documentary evidence. Therefore, you must be very careful while filling out your visa application form and answering all the questions during your visa interview.

Here are some of the common reasons for visa rejection.

Incomplete Application

Your visa application will be rejected if all the mandatory fields of the form are not filled. Therefore, you must ensure that you fill in each detail carefully. You must also check the form for any errors before making the final submission. You must fill in the correct information in all the fields, as any piece of incorrect information can lead to a visa rejection.

If you are stuck with any blank field, you must read the instructions corresponding to the field. You can also reach out to your visa counsellor if you are stuck at any step.

Violation of Rules

The office managing the visa and the Ministry of External Affairs have rules for visa applications. All applicants need to adhere to the regulations while applying for a visa. The immigration department also has several rules related to the documentation process. You need to follow the steps laid down by the department, and produce all the documentary evidence as stated to avoid any instances of visa rejection.

You must check the rules on the embassy website of the country you plan to travel to. You should avoid submitting fake documents, leading to visa rejection and other penalties

Incomplete Travel Details

You need to submit your entire travel plan during your visa application process. This becomes even more important if you are travelling to multiple countries. Most visitor visa rejection reasons happen because applicants submit incomplete or incorrect travel details. You must provide the following information to the immigration department to avoid any issues:

The list of countries you are planning to visit.
The timings and the duration of the trip.
Documents supporting flight, hotel bookings, etc.

Insufficient Travel Insurance

This is also another visitor visa rejection reasons. Multiple countries have a mandatory requirement for travel insurance for all immigrants or tourists who enter the country. For instance, if you plan to travel to any Schengen country, you will need mandatory travel insurance of at least EUR 30,000. You will also have to check if the insurance policy is valid in the country and covers you for the entire duration of the trip.

Not having travel insurance is one of the most common reasons for visa rejections. Several countries do not have travel insurance requirements. Therefore, you should read all the documents before applying for a travel visa.

Unclear Purpose of Travel

Your purpose of travelling to a foreign country is probably the most crucial aspect of the visa application process. The visa officials will probe deeper into the reasons for you taking the travel. Therefore, you must have a concrete reason to support your travel.

Also, it would be best if you tried to produce documentary evidence proving your travel intent. For instance, if you travel to the US for higher education, you must share the acceptance letter with the officials as proof of your intention to travel. However, the visa will be rejected if there is ambiguity in your reasons or the documents you submit.

Passport Issues

A passport is a mandatory document that you need to travel to another country. Therefore, your visa application will be rejected if you have not received the passport. Also, visa rejection occurs if you have an expired passport or if it is nearing the expiry date.

The visa application also gets rejected if the pages of your passport are full and you do not have a fresh book. Some countries do not accept passports with less than six months before expiry. Therefore, you must check the conditions released by the country you plan to travel to.

Application Timings

You must carefully plan the timing of your visa application process. There are different kinds of visas, each of which takes a different processing time. Therefore, you should factor in the processing time and apply for a visa at least 45 days before your travel dates. However, if you apply for a visa just a few dates before your travel dates, there are high chances of visa rejection.

You must fill in and apply 30 days before the travel date. You can also reach out to a visa counsellor who can help you understand the duration of the visa application process and when you should apply.

Insufficient Funds

Travelling to a foreign country needs a considerable amount of funds. Hence, financial stability and availability to bear the trip's expenses are essential. There are different predefined thresholds for countries, and these thresholds also differ based on your purpose of travel.

Your visa will be rejected if you don’t have the required funds in your bank account. For instance, you must have around $5,000 to $10,000 in your bank account if you plan a trip to the United States for about 15 days. However, if your bank account does not have these funds, the visa rejection will happen.

Therefore, you must arrange the funds in your bank account to meet the necessary travel requirements.

Crime History

Your history can have a huge impact on the visa application process. Your visa will be rejected if you have a criminal record. The authorities managing the visa application process conduct a thorough background check before issuing the visa. Therefore, you should try to avoid all kinds of crimes, irrespective of the scale.

Several travellers out there have a sponsor to fund their trip. These sponsors are generally affluent people with the funds to bear the cost of the trip for any other dependents. The embassy might check the ambiguity of the person before processing the visa application.

The authorities will check the following information about your sponsor during the visa verification process:

The legal status of the person.

The annual income, along with the source of income.

The taxes paid by the person.

You, too, should ask your sponsor about these questions to reduce the instances of visa rejection.

The Return to the Country

Your intent to return to the country can also impact the visa application process. You must provide the necessary proof to substantiate that you will be travelling back to the native country once the purpose of travel is completed.

Records in the Destination Country

Your visa application might be rejected if you had previously travelled to the country and were involved in unacceptable activities. Also, your application will be rejected if you do not have good relations with the country for any reason.

Health Issues

The visa rejection will occur if you have an infectious disease or do not have a particular vaccine prescribed by the company you travel to. Some countries might also require you to get a test report for a specific health ailment before entering the country. Therefore, you must read these clauses and conditions to avoid visa rejections.

Lack of ties to your home country

With most short-term visas, you have to show that you have strong ties to your home country that will force you to go back. This is to reassure the embassy that you will not illegally stay in their country longer than you are allowed to.

Overstaying a previous visa

Your visa application could be turned down if you have been to the country before and were given a visa. If you have a history of overstaying your visa, this could be a reason. If you stay in their country too long, the embassy may worry that you will overstay your welcome or even stay there illegally.

Visa Interview Gone Wrong

The visa interview process is the most critical step of the visa application. Therefore, you must prepare well for the same. However, if the interviewer is not impressed with the answers or is convinced that the reasons for taking the trip are untrue, they might reject your visa application.

It would be best if you tried to be transparent during the visa interview and state every fact about your intended purpose of travel.

Difference Between Visa Refusal and Rejection

Visa refusal and visa rejection both mean your visa application was denied, but they have different meanings:

Visa Refusal - This indicates your visa application was declined since you didn't match the standards. Minor errors like missing paperwork or incomplete applications might cause visa refusals. Refusals without prejudice allow you to resubmit with updated information.
Visa Rejection - Visa refusal frequently implies serious difficulties with your application, such as false information or a criminal history. Some countries use rejection to represent a definitive decision, while others use it to indicate reapplication.

Conclusion

There are a plethora of reasons for visa rejections. You must know about these reasons in advance to avoid making these blunders during your visa application. A visa is a mandatory document if you travel to another country. Therefore, if you want to get one without jeopardising your travel plans, you should avoid all the reasons discussed above.

If you're looking to apply for a visa, make sure to check out ACKO Insurance. We offer a streamlined visa application process designed to get you your visa as quickly as possible. Dive into a hassle-free experience and get one step closer to your travel dreams with us!

FAQs

In this section, we've provided answers to some of the most frequently asked queries on why a visa gets rejected.

Can I reapply for a country visa if my application gets rejected?

Yes, you can reapply for a visa if your visa application gets rejected. You can ask the visa officer for a reason for visa rejection. You can try to avoid the reason when you apply for the visa again.

How can I check the visa rejection status?

You need to visit the country’s consulate’s website to check your visa status. You can enter the passport, application ID, and tracking number to check the visa rejection status.

How will I know the reasons for the visa rejection?

You can reach out to the visa officer if you want to know why your visa is rejected. They will help you understand what went wrong. However, if you do not have access to the visa officer’s contact, you can check the country's consulate website to know the reasons for rejection.

Are documents in regional languages considered valid?

No, you cannot submit documents in regional languages during the visa application process. You must have the documents in either English or Hindi.

Do visa officers check travel history?

It usually depends on the type of visa you are applying for, the rules of the country, and your unique situation. They might look at it as part of the overall review of their visa application.

What is the main reason for visa rejection?

An incomplete or inconsistent application is a direct reason why a visa will be denied. If there are any blank spaces on the application form or if the information on the form does not match what is in your passport or other supporting documents, your visa will be rejected.

Is it hard to get a visa after a refusal?

Not really; however, you should identify the reasons that caused the visa rejection and try to rectify it.

How soon can I apply for a visa after rejection?

There is no set rule or time limit on when you can try again for a visa after being rejected for the first time. However, it's important to understand why your visa gets rejected before trying to apply again.

How to avoid visa rejection?

First, be honest with yourself. Do not try to make up stories to improve your chances; they have been doing this for a long time and know how to spot it. Also, try to be convincing in the interview and do not skip any questions. As we say, ‘honesty is the best policy’ so be clear about your purpose of visit and follow all the rules.

How do I check for visa rejection reasons?

You can track your visa application status online by visiting the Passport Seva website and clicking on 'track visa'. To access this service, you will need the Reference Number from the invoice/receipt issued by the Visa Application Centre and your last name.

Does visa refusal affect future visa application?

No, visa refusal doesn’t affect future applications. This simply means that your visa application was declined since there were minor errors and it allows you to resubmit with updated informtaion.

If visa gets rejected when can I apply again?

You can reapply anytime after the rejection letter.

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Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet, and is subject to changes.