What to do when refused an F1 visa

I was refused an F1 visa in August 2014. I was supposed to attend Virginia International University. Can I know on what grounds was my visa rejected?

Ravinder Reddy

Individuals whose non-immigrant visa applications were refused are eligible to reapply. However, we do not recommend that applicants reapply unless they are able to present significant new evidence that addresses the previous grounds for refusal. Consular officers look at the totality of a student’s profile during their interview to assess whether they meet the qualifications for a visa class. You need to demonstrate to the officer that you have the intent to study and complete your programme, that you have a credible plan to pay for your education, and that you have an intent to return to your home country.

My wife and I possess Permanent Residency status in the U.S. We visited Hyderabad in January 2014, after staying for a year in the U.S. Upon our arrival in Hyderabad, my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. She needs to visit the hospital biweekly for medical care. Under these circumstances, we had to overstay beyond the stipulated period of six months. How can we protect our permanent residency status until my wife is in a position to travel back to the U.S.?

Radhakrishna Wudali

All questions regarding permanent residence (green card) status should be directed to the Department of Homeland Security, the agency with jurisdiction over those matters. For answers to your question, you could also visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/portal/ site/uscis

What are the eligibility criteria for availing Interview Waiver process/drop-box option? My prior H1-B visa expired in September 2013. If I pay the visa application fees and submit the DS-160 form before September, 2014, will I be qualified to avail the drop-box facility? I plan to visit India in December 2014, which is when I plan to submit my passport for visa renewal.

Enas Aziz

Please visit www.ustraveldocs.com/in for information on visa renewal. This website also includes details about the Interview Waiver Program.

I was refused an F1 visa in August 2014. I was supposed to attend Virginia International University. Can I know on what grounds was my visa rejected?

We understand that it is disappointing to be refused a visa. Individuals whose non-immigrant visa applications were refused are eligible to reapply. However, we do not recommend that applicants reapply unless they are able to present significant new evidence that addresses the previous grounds for refusal. Consular officers look at the totality of a student’s profile during their interview to assess whether they meet the qualifications for a visa class. You need to demonstrate to the officer that you have the intent to study and complete your programme, that you have a credible plan to pay for your education, and that you have an intent to return to your home country.

My wife and I possess Permanent Residency status in the U.S. We visited Hyderabad in January 2014, after staying for a year in the U.S. Upon our arrival in Hyderabad, my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. She needs to visit the hospital biweekly for medical care. Under these circumstances, we had to overstay beyond the stipulated period of six months. How can we protect our permanent residency status until my wife is in a position to travel back to the U.S.?

All questions regarding permanent residence (green card) status should be directed to the Department of Homeland Security, the agency with jurisdiction over those matters. For answers to your question, you could also visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

What are the eligibility criteria for availing Interview Waiver process/drop-box option? My prior H1-B visa expired in September 2013. If I pay the visa application fees and submit the DS-160 form before September, 2014, will I be qualified to avail the drop-box facility? I plan to visit India in December 2014, which is when I plan to submit my passport for visa renewal.

Please visit www.ustraveldocs.com/in for information on visa renewal. This website also includes details about the Interview Waiver Program.

My wife and I possess B1/B2 visas which will expire in March 2015. When is the right time to apply for visa renewal? What documents should we submit during the visa interview?

You may apply for a new visa any time before your old visa expires. Please visit www.ustraveldocs.com/in for more information. Please review the information about the Interview Waiver Program on this website to determine if you qualify and what you need to submit. If you do not qualify then you can also schedule an appointment at the same website.

Do you have questions about visas or other services provided by the U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad? Each alternate Monday consular officials will answer your questions. Email your questions to queries2consul@gmail.com . If you have questions related to specific visa cases or refusals, please email support-india@ustraveldocs.com . You can also visit the consulate website at: http://hyderabad.usconsulate.gov for more information.