Asked in Immigration Law and Gov & Administrative Law

Q: Refusing a US visa application after requesting to cancel the visa process

I applied for US visa to participate in a conference. My visa was not processed on-time and so I couldn't attend the event. Since I didn't have any other plan for traveling to the USA, I emailed the Consulate General requesting to stop further processing of my visa application and they confirmed receipt of my request the day after. However, a couple months later, they emailed me that your visa application has been rejected! When I asked them why they continued processing my visa after I canceled it, they refused to give me a clear written response. When I insisted, they called me and I asked them for an email response. Then, they emailed me that "we assure you that your visa is not under process anymore" which was irrelevant. The way they responded is clear that they have refused my visa and they are trying to cover it up that they've made a mistake.

Could you please let me know how I should pursue this issue? Visa denial will have a negative impact on my next visa applications.

1 Lawyer Answer
Hector E. Quiroga
PREMIUM
Hector E. Quiroga
Answered
  • Immigration Law Lawyer
  • Las Vegas, NV

A: It may or may not.

First of all, you say it was rejected, not denied. If that’s the case, it could have been rejected because you asked the consulate to cease processing your application.

If it was denied, that’s different, but it unlikely that it was denied without an interview. The only thing you can really do is, when you are ready to travel again, apply again. Visas are usually good for ten years, so even if intended travel is postponed or canceled, the visa can be used at a later date.

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