Section 214(b) is a section under the Immigration and Nationality Act in the US. It is the section under which a non-immigrant applicant’s visa is refused/ denied
US laws put emphasis on US non-immigration visa applicants (except H1B and L1) to prove that they are willing to return to their home country and have no intention of illegally staying back in the United States or becoming immigrants. The 214b visa rejection can be a serious issue if you are willing to study in the US. Keep reading, as this blog will make you acquainted with the reasons for 214b visa denial, and the process of reapplication!
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What is Section 214b?
According to section 214b of the Immigration and Nationality Act, a visa can be denied based on a visa officer’s opinion. This section basically denies visas to applicants who are not able to show financial adequity and intent of leaving the US, along with legitimate reasons to get the US visa.
Suggested: Question Types in a Visa Interview!
What are the Reasons for 214b Visa Rejection?
There are many reasons why your visa can be put under 214b visa rejection. Here are some of the most common reasons of 214b visa denial:
1. Limited Ties to your home country
If you do not show that you have any strong ties to your home country, like family, a job, a house, or other assets that you may want to return to, there is a high chance that you could be given a 214b slip.
2. Interview problems
How you conduct yourself; how honestly you answer questions; how you are dressed; your reactions and facial expressions; eye contact; hesitation in answering questions; discrepancies in answers to questions and information contained in the application form; nervousness - all go into weighing your intentions, credibility, and eligibility for a visa. Also, if the visa officer thinks that any document of yours is fraudulent (like a work letter or a bank statement), he will give you a 214b refusal.
3. Fit overstay profile
There are a set of profiles that have been taken from all the applications that have applied for a visa. These profiles are the ones who have overstayed their visas or applied for extensions in their visas or have illegally immigrated to the US. If your profile matches these profiles, your visa could be under 214b visa denial.
4. Multiple long and extended stays in the US
If you have visited the US multiple times for long periods of time and have also extended your stay there, then the officer may have doubts that you have immigrated there, are participating in illegal employment activities, or have immigrational intentions.
5. Any previous interactions with the police
If you were detained by the police or have been arrested before, then there is a high chance that you’ll get a 214b slip.
6. Student specific reasons
There are some student specific reasons, which need to be kept in mind as well, like:
- If you intend on attending a community college or a “non-brand” university
- If you lack economic ties to your home country
- If you show your intention of staying back in the US for an extended period of time after the completion of your course
- If your program has little use in your home country
- If you are an older applicant (30+ years)
- Inadequate knowledge of English
- If you have previously studied in the US and your academic track record and attendance wasn’t good
- Insufficient display of funds
There are some circumstances that may not even be in your hands like human errors by the visa interviewer, or any misunderstanding that may have emerged during your interview, leading to a 214b F1 visa rejection.
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What Can You Do to Avoid the 214B Visa Refusal?
While a lot depends on your profile, there are definitely a few things that you, as an international student can do to avoid 214b F1 visa rejection. Here’s how you can avoid 214b visa denial:
- Dress well for your visa interview. Formals aren’t compulsory so you should wear anything casual but still smart.
- Try to establish a strong tie with your home country. Mention how your entire family is here, how pursuing your degree will help you come back and get a promotion at your current job, etc.
- Be confident while answering your questions.
- Make sure to be aligned with the profile that you have submitted to the university
- Do not submit any false documents, whether they are job recommendations or bank statements
- If you have had any encounters with the police, then explain what exactly happened and how you have improved or changed.
- If you did stay for an extended period of time in the US previously, explain the circumstances under which it happened
- If you have chosen to go to a community college or a “non brand” university, then mention why you made this decision
- Maintain eye contact and try not to fumble while speaking to the officer. Be confident!
Suggested: Visa Interview Preparation Tips for You!
What To Do If Your Visa Gets Rejected?
The first thing that you need to do after your 214b visa rejection F1 is to identify 214b visa rejection reason for yourself. You can contact the consulate in your home country for the same.
You might also want to consider telling your university about your 214b visa denial reasons, and why you have been late for the entire admission process.
Next, you should rectify your 214b visa rejection reason, and start the visa application process from scratch!
What is the Reapplication Process?
The process to 214b visa rejection reapply is similar to what the application process for the US visa is. You can also contact the US embassy to know the complete reapplication procedure after your 214b visa rejection F1.
If the reason for your 214b rejection is really serious, there is no point to 214b visa rejection reapply as unless your background, financial situation, or work experience change drastically, it will be a no from the visa consulate.
All in all, as a student you have to prove that you are a great fit for your program and that you will gain knowledge and life experience by studying in the US. However, you also need to show that you do wish to come back to your home country, along with providing the consulate with honest documents. For further assistance on the 214b rejection, you can contact our Yocket Counsellors as well!
