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Check your B1/B2 application before your interview

A B1/B2 is decided in a two to three minute conversation at a window, against a presumption written into the law that you intend to immigrate. This page shows you what that means in practice and where your case currently stands.

consular officer the United States Department of State B1/B2 visitor visa
01
Section 214(b), Immigration and Nationality Act

214(b): you did not overcome the presumption of immigrant intent

Every alien shall be presumed to be an immigrant until he establishes to the satisfaction of the consular officer, at the time of application for a visa, that he is entitled to a nonimmigrant status.

What the officer assesses: The law starts by presuming you intend to immigrate. The officer is assessing whether your ties to your home country are strong enough to overcome that presumption, in an interview that usually lasts two to three minutes.

Evidence that addresses it

  • Employment letter with role, salary, start date and approved leave, carried to the interview
  • Payslips and bank statements, carried but not relied on
  • Property documents and evidence of dependants
  • A clear, short answer to why you are going, who is paying and when you return
  • A DS-160 that matches, exactly, what you will say at the window
02
Section 221(g), Immigration and Nationality Act

221(g): administrative processing or a document request

No visa shall be issued to an alien if it appears to the consular officer that such alien is ineligible, or if the application fails to comply with the provisions of this Act.

What the officer assesses: Nothing about your ties. 221(g) means the decision is not finished: either a document is missing, or the case is in administrative processing.

Evidence that addresses it

  • Exactly the documents listed on the 221(g) sheet, in the format and to the address it names
  • The case number from the sheet on every page
  • Nothing else: extra documents delay the case

A 214(b) refusal is handed over at the window on a single sheet. There is no appeal and no formal review. The only route is to apply again when circumstances have changed, and to present them better.

Check now

Check your B1/B2 application before your interview

A B1/B2 is decided in a two to three minute conversation at a window, against a presumption written into the law that you intend to immigrate. This page shows you what that means in practice and where your case currently stands.

Start your check