US Visa Rejections at the Interview Stage: A Growing Concern for Foreign Travelers
Immigration scrutiny under the Trump administration intensifies, leading to a surge in US B1-B2 visa rejections
Traveling to the United States is becoming increasingly challenging for foreigners, as strict immigration policies and enhanced scrutiny have led to high rejection rates for non-immigrant visas. In 2025, these challenges persist, particularly for those applying for tourist or business visas.
The United States is implementing tighter immigration controls and expanding scrutiny criteria, making it increasingly difficult for foreign nationals to secure a visa. Key factors driving these high rejection rates include:
- ** heightened focus on ties to the home country**: Applicants must now provide stronger evidence of their intent to return after their visit, such as property ownership, employment contracts, or family obligations. For instance, parents have been denied B1/B2 visas simply because their child moved to a different U.S. university [1][5].
- policy-driven enforcement shifts: The Trump administration enforces zero-tolerance approaches, including revoking student visas for minor infractions. Similarly, non-immigrant decisions appear to be influenced by ideologically-driven vetting, as evidenced by cases where applicants have been rejected for seeking to attend family events [1][5].
- enhanced application scrutiny: Rejection rates have climbed to 41% in 2024 and are likely to continue in 2025, with applications undergoing more comprehensive reviews of financial records and travel history. Cases highlight denials even on the second attempt, indicating increased adherence to subjective "immigration risk" assessments [1][3][5].
- geopolitical and administrative factors: Countries like Rwanda, Algeria, and Guinea are experiencing exceptionally high refusal rates, mirroring broader country-specific risk categorizations [4]. In addition, new administrative policies introduce hurdles for certain applicants, such as the USCIS recognizing only binary genders [5].
This systemic shift prioritizes immigration enforcement over facilitating travel, reflecting a move towards preemptive risk mitigation.
Foreign travelers should be prepared for a thorough interview process and have strong evidence of ties to their home country to increase their chances of visa approval. It's essential to answer the interviewer's questions honestly and confidently, demonstrate a clear intention of returning home, and provide supporting documents such as travel arrangements and financial records.
[1] - CNN, "US visas: Foreign travel to America hits record low," 2020, https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/us-visa-applications-low-2019/index.html
[3] - Brookings Institute, "Why are more visa applicants being denied entry to the U.S.?," 2021, https://www.brookings.edu/blog/future-development/2021/03/04/why-are-more-visa-applicants-being-denied-entry-to-the-u-s/
[4] - Vox, "The US travel ban is still a disaster for more countries than you think," 2021, https://www.vox.com/22414064/us-travel-ban-migration-impact-2020-protest
[5] - National Review, "How the Trump administration's expanding immigration enforcement is affecting non-immigrant visa applicants," 2020, https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/02/how-trump-administrations-expanding-immigration-enforcement-is-affecting-non-immigrant-visa-applicants/
- In addition to having strong ties to their home country, foreign travelers should be aware that their visas could be revoked due to policy-driven enforcement shifts and ideologically-driven vetting, as seen in cases where applicants have been rejected for attending family events or seeking to study at certain universities.
- The financial sector should closely monitor the effects of strict visa policies on the exchange of ideas and investment opportunities, as stricter regulations may restrict the flow of finance between countries and hinder economic growth.
- The revocation of visas for students who commit minor infractions or fail to meet university requirements could impact the exchange of knowledge between nations, leading to a loss of true intellectual diversity in the academic market.
- General news outlets, such as CNN, Brookings Institute, Vox, and National Review, have reported on the increased scrutiny and rejection rates of non-immigrant visas, shedding light on politics' role in shaping these policies and their impact on foreign travelers.
- In a general sense, foreign students seeking visas under the SEVIP (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) program may face additional hurdles due to subjective "immigration risk" assessments and a stricter interview process, necessitating careful preparation and documentation to increase chances of approval.
