One in three Colombian applicants is denied the American visa: tips to avoid being one of them

Although we live in a globalized world, where the free movement of capital and goods is encouraged, the free circulation of people is far from being a reality. Visas and other travel permits shut the doors to thousands of people who wish to visit other countries every year. Among these, the American visa has become one of the most desired products by the citizens of the world.

Not only is the American visa an indispensable document to visit the United States of America, but it has also become an advantage to enter countries other than this world power.

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This is the case, for example, when a passenger makes an international stopover in one of the fifty states of the northern country, or when a country gives the passenger the ability to enter its territory with an American visa instead of its own visa, as happens in some Caribbean islands.

Thus, the United States is not only a destination of international interest, but its visa acts as a kind of permit to move around the world with greater ease.

Colombia is among the countries with the highest rate of rejection of American visas

It is of such importance for a citizen to have an American visa that the World of Statistics portal released the rejection rate for applicants in 56 countries by 2022.

In this count, Colombia was among the last countries, with a rejection rate of 33%, followed by Venezuela (34%), Ukraine (41%), Kenya (42%), Syria (43%), and Iraq (45%). This means that 1 out of every 3 Colombians who apply for an American visa is refused by that country.

Among the countries with the highest rejection rate for American visa in 2022 are Afghanistan (53%), Iran (54%), Cuba (57%), Canada (58%), Rwanda (63%), Somalia (74%) and Mauritania (90%). Even worse, according to the portal’s data, the American visa refusal rate for citizens of the island states of Micronesia is 100%.

In the opposite case is Monaco, the second smallest country in the world, with a rejection rate of 0%. Following Israel (2%), Argentina (4%), Hong Kong (5%), Japan (6%), Mexico (6%), India (7%), Czech Republic (8%), Portugal (9%) and South Africa, with a rejection rate of 10%.

🇺🇸 USA VISA rejection rate, 2022:

🇲🇨Monaco → 0%
🇮🇱Israel → 2%
🇦🇷Argentina → 4%
🇭🇰Hong Kong → 5%
🇯🇵Japan → 6%
🇲🇽Mexico → 6%
🇮🇳India → 7%
🇨🇿Czechia → 8%
🇵🇹Portugal → 9%
🇿🇦South Africa → 10%
🇦🇪UAE → 10%
🇸🇬Singapore → 10%
🇪🇸Spain → 11%
🇵🇭Philippines → 12%
🇩🇪Germany →…

— World of Statistics (@stats_feed) June 20, 2023

Given the high rejection rate for Colombians, we share some recommendations to keep in mind when applying for an American visa.

Recommendations when applying for an American visa

The American visa is a document that allows a foreign citizen to enter the United States under certain conditions, depending on the purpose of the trip and the permit obtained. It is important to keep in mind that, even with a valid visa, the United States may deny the visitor’s entry to its territory.

1. Seek advice and identify the correct type of American visa

In order to begin the application process for an American visa, the first step is to identify the type of visa needed. Each type is defined according to the purpose of the trip, the length of stay and the activities to be carried out in the country, among other factors.

On the website of the U.S. Embassy in Colombia, you will find the corresponding information according to the length of stay in the United States.

If it is temporary, you will need to review the non-immigrant visas. On the other hand, if you are looking to make the United States your country of residence, you will need to apply for an immigrant visa.

Among the non-immigrant visas, travelers seeking to stay less than three months in the United States will find the tourist or visitor visa, with the following nomenclature:

• B-1 Visa: travel for business purposes or events such as conferences.
• B-2 Visa: tourism, visiting relatives, or for medical treatment.

If applying for an immigrant visa, interested candidates must meet certain requirements in order for the U.S. government to evaluate the application and the probability of selecting them.

In this case we would be speaking of an immigrant visa to work in the United States, which is arranged by preferences:

• EB-1 first preference: for those with “extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics; outstanding professors or researchers; and multinational executives or managers,” according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.
• Second preference EB-2: for professionals with graduate degrees or for those with “exceptional ability in the arts, sciences, or business”. In this case, the authorities will require labor certification “unless the applicant can obtain a national interest waiver”.
• Third preference EB-3: for professionals and specialized workers, among others. These individuals will also require a labor certification.
• EB-4 Fourth Preference: This is a preference reserved for “special immigrants” such as religious workers, employees of U.S. foreign service posts, retired personnel of international organizations, foreign minors under the protection of U.S. courts, among other cases.
• EB-5 Fifth Preference: for business investors between $500,000 and $1 million, when the investment is in an “identified employment area, in a new enterprise employing at least 10 full-time U.S. employees”.

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2. Register the forms correctly and with accurate information

Once you have identified the type of visa you intend to apply for, you will be able to find the form that best suits your case. This form must be filled out completely, without inaccuracies, and with truthful information.

3. Keep your documentation handy

When applying for a visa, check the validity of your passport and that you have enough free space.

Have in hand the details of your previous international trips, as well as bank, labor, and other certifications that contribute to demonstrating economic solvency, and that you have compelling reasons to return to Colombia at the end of the trip you planned.

If you plan to stay with a relative, for example, it may help to have a document that proves it or the details of their place of residence.

Prior to the interview, be aware of the places you wish to visit, how long and when, as well as the reasons behind your trip.

4. Process your American visa well ahead of time

Please consider the processing times, as they are not the same for all travel purposes. After filling out the form that best suits your situation, you will need to request an interview appointment.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Colombia, the waiting time for the interview is between 40 and 809 days:

• B1/B2 (visa for business or tourism): 809 days.
• F/M/J (student visa): 61 days.
• Petition H, L, O, P (visa for workers): 55 days.
• Non-Residents of Colombia or Venezuela (all visa categories): 809 days.
• Interview Waiver: 40 days.

Along with the waiting time, anyone wishing to apply for an American visa should be aware that the fees have increased since June 17 of this year:

• B1/B2 and border crossing card: $185. At today’s Representative Market Rate (RMR) ($4,149.18) cost about $767,000 COP. Previously, the fee was $160.

• The fee for the H,L,O,P,Q and R worker visa is at $205, around $805,000 COP. It used to be $190.

• And the fee for trader and investor visas is at $315, $1,306,000 COP at today’s RMR. It previously stood at $205.

For more information, you may consult the website of the U.S. Embassy in Colombia and the website of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Office.

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