To start, it’s important to know that non-immigrant visas are those that allow you to enter the United States temporarily (such as a tourist visa, student visa, or some work visas).
When you apply for a visa, immigration authorities will thoroughly evaluate that you meet all the requirements.
And one of the most important requirements for these non-immigrant visas is that you can demonstrate that you have strong and solid reasons to return to your country of origin.
Thus, merely having a direct family member who is undocumented (parents, children, spouses, or siblings) does NOT constitute a direct reason for them to deny you the visa if you meet all the other requirements.
However, they may deny it if you fail to demonstrate that you intend to return to your country and that, somehow, your intention is to stay in the United States.
Is it better to DENY that you have undocumented family in the USA?
Many visa applicants choose to lie or omit this type of information because they fear that their application will be denied.
However, this is not advisable. Why? Because for immigration authorities, it is very important that you answer all the questions they will ask during the interview and the information you put on your application form truthfully.
And precisely, one of the reasons why they could deny your application or any you make in the future, is if you lie or hide information.
Also, remember that at the time of the application, they will evaluate YOUR eligibility and that you meet all the requirements, whether you have family in the United States or not.
Why else might your visa be denied?
Although it is most common for the United States to approve the majority of applications for a non-immigrant visa, there is still a possibility that some may be rejected.
It is important to keep in mind that an application can be rejected for multiple reasons. Among them are:
- The consul does not have all the necessary information to determine the applicant’s eligibility.
- The applicant does not qualify for the visa category applied for.
- Or, the applicant is ineligible as established by the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Authorities point out that it is essential for the applicant to demonstrate their non-immigrant status, proving that they have strong ties in their home country such as a job, study, family, and friends.
What happens if your application is rejected?
If your application is rejected, authorities will usually send you a notification explaining why and you will learn the details.
That’s why it’s important that, at the time of the interview, you clearly explain the reason for your trip and demonstrate that it is temporary.
Additionally, remember that even if your visa application was rejected once, you can apply again in the future.
However, it is essential that for this second occasion you have up to date everything that is requested of you.