How often do people get denied?

[Boiler 45,487]

It si not a chance based process, maybe at the margin.

The comments about refusal rate being very low was looking at the situation overall.

[JFH 12,190]

A criminal history could certainly result in a denial.

Indeed it does in the UK. Even a theft conviction from over 20 years ago.

Fortunately I don't have any arrests or convictions on my record. Clean as a whistle!

[Marrienne 112]

From what I have read it also depends on the country. There are some countries that have a higher rate of fraudulent marriages than others I guess and that can be a red flag all in itself.
Somewhere else I read that they have a right to pick and choose who they let into their country and being from Greece where no control of immigration exists, I can understand that.

It is what it was said before. Just jump through their little hoops and if you have your nose clean it will be ok!

[JFH 12,190]

Just curious when you say such a low percentage of applications are denied? What about men from Pakistan? Is the percentage low there? We have red flags such as age difference, previous marriages, and he has a tour company and has lived and traveled in different countries. However, we have steady jobs, no arrests,are older, etc. What are the chances of being denied? Also, what are the chances of having short AP (as in under a year) if you have any idea? Thanks for the info!!

Each case is assessed on its own merits. It's not that they specifically look for 1 in a thousand cases to deny. If your case is denied, it's no comfort to know that 99.9999% of cases are approved. It's like companies that tell you they have a 99% customer satisfaction rate. What use is that to you if you're the one customer whose order was lost or damaged?

The nationality won't be the reason for the denial, if there is a denial. It may be the reason for extra scrutiny but if there is a denial it will be based on material evidence of ineligibility. Not the colour of the passport.

Edited April 30, 2016 by JFH

[Marrienne 112]

I agree with what JFH said. However we cannot wait to be worried a little bit. It IS a life altering decision, and the hoop jumping can be a little more than frustrating some times!!!

[Adil & Jeanne 296]

Looking up the infromation online i found this

USCIS gets 6 million applicaitons a year (all types of visas)

for example October 1, 2015 thru December 31,2015

immediate family member 134,695 applications

approved 133,392

denied 8,756

pending 290,862

you will note these numbers do not seem to add up but i got them from the following immigration site / just google "how many applications does immigration get"

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Resources/Reports%20and%20Studies/Immigration%20Forms%20Data/Family-Based/I130_performancedata_fy2016_qtr1.pdf

USCIS Field Office or Service

Petitions

by Category of Relatives

and Case Status

1Immediate Relative

1All Other Relative

Total

Petitions

Petitions

Petitions

Center Location

Received2

Approved3

Denied4

5Pending

Received2

Approved3

Denied4

5Pending

Received2

Approved3

Denied4

5Pending

Total

134,695

133,392

8,756

290,862

64,194

31,880

5,346

510,721

198,889

165,272

14,102

801,583

Edited April 30, 2016 by Adil & Jeanne

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Yes but that number does not reflect denials that are later overturned by waivers. Some people apply knowing full well they will be denied and need a waiver - someone who entered illegally before, for instance.

[MadeinIndia 2]

I am sure every case is judged differently. Unless there is clear evidence of fraud, I am sure no case will be rejected. Having said that, in case of consular processing, if they have any doubts, I think they put the case on perpetual loop of bureaucratic layers. I know of a woman here in the US, she is 54 years old, been married 4 times, drives a semi, met this guy from India online and they fell in love and she went to India and got married 3 years ago. This guy is 24 years old and is from a small city in Rajasthan, barely speaks good English. She travelled to India 2-3 times to meet her husband, bought her in-laws a car, spending all the money for his visa expenses. So he recently had his interview and the consulate sent back the case to the state department and now it seems she just has to wait to hear from them. It has been 6 months since.

I really don't know the intentions of that guy but I feel sad for this woman. Maybe that guy is just playing her for a green card but she thinks its genuine love. Anyway, these are the cases I think USCIS would scrutinize more.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I really don't know the intentions of that guy but I feel sad for this woman. Maybe that guy is just playing her for a green card but she thinks its genuine love. Anyway, these are the cases I think USCIS would scrutinize more.

Yes, they call this the "lonely hearts" scam.

[Boiler 45,487]

As seen on VJ.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

As seen on VJ.

Amen, brotha.

[Marrienne 112]

You know, reading that, made me very sad
I don't doubt there ARE cases like that for sure. I read somewhere that a big age gap is a red flag and for the life of me I can't see what a 24 year old would see in a 54 year old. That said I am sure there ARE cases of true love out there but more times than not, something else is the case.

[JFH 12,190]

Having watched the TLC show and seeing the misfits that are approved on there it makes me realise that anyone can be approved unless there is something in their past that legally prevents them from obtaining a visa. A 19-year-old Filipino girl and a 58-year-old divorcee with 4 kids older than her were approved, despite the fact they weren't even on the same page regarding having children. There were clear cases of sham marriages on there but they were approved. Age differences, different expectations of the marriage in terms of children, different religions, one partner's English being so poor they can barely communicate with one another - no problem at all.

Obviously it's difficult for the consular staff to judge whether someone really love someone and it's a very personal matter. People might ask what I see in my husband or what he sees in me.

[Caleb J 1]

Can they deny my wife's visa if I haven't filed any taxes? I live abroad and I only have my tax transcript from 2013 when I worked in the U.S. We have a joint sponsor.

Edited May 1, 2016 by Caleb Joshua

[Marrienne 112]

You will need to file back taxes with the IRS unless you fall under one of the exempt categories. You will need to submit evidence with the I-864 anyway.

My friends also live abroad and hadn't filed taxes since they don't work in the US and the had to back file in order to apply for the visa.