Each year, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approves thousands of lawful permanent resident cards, also known as green cards. This allows non-US citizens to live and work in this country permanently. However, a green card may be denied if the applicant is deemed “inadmissible.” Take a closer look at the 10 most common reasons this can happen.

1. Health: You must pass a medical exam performed by a government-approved doctor. Your application may be denied if you have an infectious disease, aren’t properly vaccinated, are addicted to drugs, or have a medical disorder that threatens the safety of others.

2. Criminal background: If you have been convicted of certain crimes—including drug trafficking, prostitution, money laundering, or fraud—you could be deemed inadmissible to the US.

3. Finances: If you have no way to support yourself, your green card could be denied based on the likelihood that you will become a drain on public resources. However, if you are a victim of human trafficking, you may not be treated as inadmissible even if you will likely require government assistance.

4. Fraud or misrepresentation: Knowingly misrepresenting the facts when applying for permanent residency—such as claiming false employment or listing the wrong address—may cause USCIS to deny your application.

5. Prior unlawful presence: USCIS will review your past immigration history to determine if you have ever entered the country unlawfully, overstayed a visa, or been deported. While these are not automatic grounds for denying an application, you may need a skilled lawyer to make your case.

6. National security concerns: Your visa application will likely be denied if you are currently or formerly affiliated with a terrorist group, criminal organization, or totalitarian party.

7. Lack of evidence: In the case of family-based green cards, your petition may be denied if there’s insufficient evidence to support the relationship between you and your sponsored family member.

8. Incomplete application: All aspects of a green card application must be submitted together. If any forms, support documents, or filing fees are missing, that could be enough motivation to deny your application.

9. Missed deadlines: Another reason for having your green card denied is if you miss appointments or interviews needed to complete your application. Submitting documentation past the deadline is also problematic.

10. Errors in the application process: The strict legality of a permanent resident card leaves no room for error. Misspelling a name or forgetting a birth date could be reason enough for USCIS to deny your application, even if it was an innocent mistake.

Don’t allow something as simple as a missed deadline or typo to cost you your green card! Hurtubise Weber Law can help you complete your application correctly and submit it in a timely manner. Even if you have already been deemed inadmissible, we can assist with filing a waiver or meeting an exception written into immigration law. When you’re ready to begin applying for a green card, please call our San Francisco or San Jose office at (415) 849-1199 or contact us online.