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

Team AckoApr 11, 2025

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 visa rejection.

Before we go over the common reasons for visa rejections, take a look at the rising trend of rejections for Indian applicants. These numbers highlight why a careful application is crucial.

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Contents

Common Reasons for Visa Rejection
Difference Between Visa Refusal and Rejection
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Common Reasons for Visa Rejection

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 most common visa rejection reasons—or, in other words, the answers to your question: what are the reasons for visa rejection and why visa get rejected?

Incomplete Application:

One of the top reasons for passport rejection is an incomplete visa application form. Leaving mandatory fields blank or entering incorrect details can instantly disqualify your application.

Therefore, you must ensure you fill in all the details correctly and check for mistakes before submitting your visa application. If you're unsure about something, read the instructions or ask your visa counsellor for help.

Violation of Rules:

Every country has specific visa regulations and all applicants submitting visas need to adhere to those rules. Submitting fake documents or skipping required steps can lead to immediate visa rejection and even a ban from reapplying. Always follow the guidelines mentioned on the official embassy website.

Incomplete Travel Itinerary:

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 happens 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 timing and duration of the trip.
Documents supporting flight, hotel bookings, etc.

No or 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 for travelling to a foreign country is probably the most crucial aspect of the visa application process. If your reason is not clear, the visa may be denied.

Therefore, you must have a concrete reason to support your travel. Also, it would be best if you produced 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 to prove your intention to travel. However, the visa will be rejected if there is ambiguity in your reasons or the documents you submit.

Passport Issues:

Your passport might be rejected if:

It’s expired or about to expire
It doesn’t have enough blank pages
It’s damaged or unreadable

Many countries require a passport to be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of travel.

Application Timings:

Planning your visa application process well in advance is crucial. Different types of visas take different amounts of time to process. To avoid delays or visa rejection, it's best to apply early before your travel date. However, applying too close to your travel date can also increases the chances of rejection.

Ideally, submit your visa application at least 30 days before travel. If you're unsure when to apply for a visa, consider speaking to a visa counsellor. They can guide you on the right time to apply based on the type of visa and your travel plans.

Insufficient Funds:

This is one of the most frequent answers when people ask, "why visa get rejected?" Travelling to a foreign country requires a considerable amount of money. Hence, financial stability and availability to bear the trip's expenses are essential.

Most countries expect proof that you can financially support yourself. If your bank balance doesn’t match their threshold, your visa could be refused. For example, for a 15-day USA trip, you should have ₹4–₹8 lakhs in your account.

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

Crime History:

Any past criminal record can be a dealbreaker, no matter how old or minor. It remains one of the most serious reasons for visa rejection. The authorities managing the visa application process conduct a thorough background check before issuing the visa.

If you have a criminal record, you may need to provide a clearance certificate or other relevant documents to prove your legal standing. It’s best to avoid any involvement in crimes to ensure a smooth visa process.

Sponsor’s Credibility:

If someone else is sponsoring your trip, their financial status and legal standing will be scrutinised. Any inconsistency in their income, taxes, or legal records could lead to rejection.

To avoid this, have a clear conversation with your sponsor about their financial and legal standing before you apply, so you’re both on the same page and can avoid surprises.

Lack of Proof of Return:

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. Show job proof, property ownership, or family responsibilities, anything that confirms you’ll return after your trip.

Previous Overstay:

If you overstayed your last visa, even by a few days, it could impact your new application. The embassy might assume you’ll overstay again. 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.

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 above reasons.

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!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

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

How do I know if my visa is rejected?

You'll be notified by the embassy through email, a rejection letter, or via the application portal. Always check your spam/junk folder just in case.

How to check visa rejection reasons?

After a visa rejection, the embassy usually provides a reason via email or in the rejection letter. Carefully read the communication from the consulate, it often mentions why your visa was denied.

What if my visa gets rejected?

Don’t panic! First, understand the reason for rejection. Then, correct any errors or provide stronger documentation before reapplying. You can also consult a visa expert to improve your chances the next time.

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

You can usually reapply immediately unless the embassy has specified a waiting period. However, it’s best to apply only after addressing the reason for your earlier 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.

Does visa refusal affect future visa applications?

It can, especially if the refusal is due to serious issues like false documentation. Always disclose previous refusals honestly when asked, as embassies can access your history.

Do embassies know about visa refusal in other countries?

Yes, many countries share visa refusal data. Lying or hiding previous rejections can harm your chances. Always be honest in your application.

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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.