The US Visitor visa (B-visa); what does it really entail? Part 1

Introduction
There seem to be no limit to account of stories by persons who have been denied U.S. visitor visas because they were deemed by the consular officer to be ineligible under U.S. law. In many situations, such persons are left puzzled by the consular officer's decision to deny them a visa, despite having answered all questions posed to them at the interview. Others simply are unable to comprehend why the consular officer flippantly denied them a visa without looking at their documents. In fact, the disappointments and emotions that follow a U.S. visa refusal are boundless.

In this series, and subsequent articles to come, we will consider and examine the rules and requirements applicable to different visa categories under U.S., UK, and Schengen immigration law. We will also consider and examine factors that contribute to visa denials/refusals under various visa categories for the respective immigration laws. We will finally consider and examine practical ways to avoid and overcome a visa denial/refusal, and determine whether remedies, if any, may be available to an applicant whose visa has been denied/refused.

In this particular series, we will specifically examine the nature and types of non-immigrant visa in general and the B visa in particular.

What is a non-immigrant visa?
A non-immigrant visa is simply a type of visa issued to persons with a permanent residence outside the U.S. but who wish to be in the U.S. on a temporary basis. Although there are about 35 non-immigrant visa categories our discussion today will focus mainly on the B visa.

B Visa (Visitor visa)
Also called the “visitor” visa, the B visa is for persons desiring to enter the U.S. temporarily for business (category B-1), and pleasure, or medical treatment (category B-2).   For example, an applicant desiring to consult with business associates, travel for a scientific, educational, professional or business convention/conference, settle an estate, or negotiate a contract may apply for a visitor visa.  The B visa is also for persons travelling for purposes which are recreational in nature, including tourism, amusement, visits with friends and/or relatives, rest, medical treatment, and activities of a fraternal, social, or service nature.

Of all visas under the U.S. non-immigrant visa category, the B visa is the most popular, and the most applied for. In the 2014 fiscal year, for example, a worldwide total number of 7,944,862 persons applied for B visas. Out of this total, 6,276,977 were issued visas, and a total of 1,667,865 were denied. This statistics starkly refute the long standing perception about U.S. visa refusal rates. As the figures clearly show, the total number of B visas issued in 2014 was almost four times the number denied. In fact, this trend appears to be no different from statistics from preceding years.

Refusal rate in Ghana
Ghana ranks as one of the countries in the world with the highest Annual Adjusted Refusal Rate for B visas. In the 2014 fiscal year, for example, Ghana obtained the highest annual adjusted refusal rate in Africa with 59.8%, and was eighth in the world among a worldwide total number of 200 countries. To put things into perspective, Ghana was topped only by countries like Syria, a war torn zone with 60%; Cuba, which until recently had a long standing diplomatic row with the U.S. with 66.2%; Laos with 61.1%, and Republic of Palau with 84.2%. Interestingly, Nigeria had a percentage rate of 33.2%, and South Africa, a remarkable rate of 2.6%.

Many persons from Ghana, just like their counterparts from other parts of the world may, owing to a variety of reasons (which we will discuss at a future date) are considered ineligible under U.S. law for the grant of a B visa.  It is the case that in the vast majority of cases, persons applying for a B visa do so without having any form of knowledge about the eligibility requirements under the law.

To be continued…
 
Disclaimer: This article only provides general information and guidance on U.S. immigration law. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different from what you anticipated. The writer will not accept any liability for any claims or inconvenience as a result of the use of this information

The writer is an immigration law consultant and a practicing law attorney in Ghana. He has special interests in the U.S., UK, and Schengen immigration law. He works as a part-time consultant for Acheampong & Associates Ltd, an immigration law firm in Accra. He may be contacted on 0246811666.

By Emmanuel Opoku Acheampong