What leads to the refusal of applications?

In general, an applicant may be refused a visa if they do not meet the requirements for admission or entry under that country’s immigration laws. More specifically, a visa may be denied or refused when the applicant :

• Has committed fraud, deception, or misrepresentation in his or her current application as well as in a previous application
• has obtained a criminal record, has been arrested, or has criminal charges pending
• Does not have a good moral character
• Is considered to be a threat to national security
• Has previous visa/immigration violations (even if the violations didn’t happen in the country the applicant is seeking a visa for)
• Had their previous visa application(s) or application for immigration benefits refused and cannot prove that the reasons for the previous refusals no longer exist or are not applicable any more (even if the refusals didn’t previously happen in the country the applicant is seeking a visa for)
• Cannot prove to have strong ties to their current country of nationality or residence (for those who are applying for temporary or non-immigrant visas)
• Intends to reside or work permanently in the country she/he will visit if not applying for an immigrant or work visa respectively
• Fails to demonstrate intent to return (for non-immigrants)
• Fails to provide sufficient evidence/documents to prove eligibility for the visa sought after
• Does not have a legitimate reason for the journey
• Does not have adequate means of financial support for themselves or family
• Does not have adequate medical insurance, especially if engaging in high-risk activities (e.g. rock climbing, skiing, etc.) do not have travel arrangements (i.e. transport and lodging) in the destination country
• Does not have travel arrangements (i.e. transport and lodging) in the destination country
• Does not have health/travel insurance valid for the destination and the duration of stay
• Is a citizen of a country to which the destination country is hostile or at war with
• Has previously visited, or intends to visit, a country to which the destination country is hostile
• Has a communicable disease, such as tuberculosis or ebola, or a sexually transmitted disease
• Has a passport that expires too soon
• Even if a traveller does not need a visa, the aforementioned criteria can also be used by border control officials to refuse the traveller entry into the country in question.

Categories of Visas –

Each country typically has a multitude of categories of visas with various names. The most common types and names of visas include :

By purpose

Transit visas

For passing through the country of issue to a destination outside that country. Validity of transit visas are usually limited by short terms such as several hours to ten days depending on the size of the country or the circumstances of a particular transit itinerary.

A. Airside transit visa, required by some countries for passing through their airports even without going through passport control.
B. Crew member, steward, or driver visa, issued to persons employed or trained on aircraft, vessels, trains, trucks, buses, and any other means of international transportation, or ships fishing in international waters.

Short-stay or visitor visas

For short visits to the visited country. Many countries differentiate between different reasons for these visits, such as:

A. Private visa, for private visits by invitation from residents of the visited country.
B. Tourist visa, for a limited period of leisure travel, no business activities allowed.
C. Visa for medical reasons, for undertaking diagnostics or a course of treatment in the visited country’s hospitals or other medical facilities.
D. Business visa, for engaging in commerce in the country. These visas generally preclude permanent employment, for which a work visa would be required.
E. Working holiday visa, for individuals travelling between nations offering a working holiday program, allowing young people to undertake temporary work while travelling.
F. Athletic or artistic visa, issued to athletes and performing artists (and their supporting staff) performing at competitions, concerts, shows, and other events.

By the method of issue :

Normally visa applications are made at and collected from a consulate, embassy, or other diplomatic mission.

Also known as visas on arrival (VOA), they are granted at a port of entry. This is distinct from visa-free entry, where no visa is required, as the visitor must still obtain the visa on arrival before proceeding to immigration control.

An electronic visa (e-Visa or eVisa) is stored in a computer and is linked to the passport number so no label, sticker, or stamp is placed in the passport before travel. The application is done over the internet, and the receipt acts as a visa, which can be printed or stored on a mobile device.