U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE


Graduate Study

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Visa Types


Procedures for Your Country

Where and When to Apply

Required Documents

Important Points to Remember When Applying for a Student Visa

Some Visa Don'ts

A Special Note for Canadian Citizens

What to Do If Your Visa Application Is Denied

If You Are Presently in the U.S.

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Predeparture information
What to Do If Your Visa Application Is Denied

If your visa application is denied, the visa-issuing official is required to provide you with the reason for the denial in writing. The two most common reasons for denial of a student visa are failure to show sufficient proof of financial support and failure to prove that the applicant is not a pending immigrant to the United States. (See "Ties to Your Home Country" and "Financial Documentation" under "Important Points to Remember When Applying for a Student Visa".)

In most cases, you should be able to reapply to the visa-issuing office by submitting additional information. You may wish to contact the U.S. educational information or advising center in the city nearest you or the Admissions Office or International Students Office of the U.S. college or university you plan to attend for advice on your second visa interview. It is important to be consistent with your responses to the visa officer's questions when you apply for your visa a second time. It is not unusual for notes to be taken during the visa interview and for those notes to be compared with what you say at subsequent interviews.

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