10 Most Common Reasons for a Green Card Application to be Denied
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Can You Apply for a Green Card Next Month? Check the August Visa Bulletin!
Have you been “waiting in line” for a green card to become available in your preference category?
You can check the U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin for August 2019 to see if your priority date is current next month.
USCIS has determined that in August, the Dates for Filing Chart must be used for family-sponsored green cards, with the exception of F2A category applicants, who may use the Final Action Dates chart. The Final Action Dates Chart must be used for employer-sponsored green cards.
Have you been “waiting in line” for a green card to become available in your preference category?
You can check the U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin for August 2019 to see if your priority date is current next month.
USCIS has determined that in August, the Dates for Filing Chart must be used for family-sponsored green cards, with the exception of F2A category applicants, who may use the Final Action Dates chart. The Final Action Dates Chart must be used for employer-sponsored green cards.
To view the full Bulletin, please visit:
Need help interpreting the Bulletin and preparing and filing your green card application?
Contact us at theteam@huwelaw.com or 415-496-9040 today.
October 2018 Visa Bulletin Released
The U.S. Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for October 2018. In addition to the final action dates and dates for filing applications, the Bulletin also includes notes on the scheduled expiration of two employment visa categories, the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) and the Employment Fifth Preference Categories (I5 and R5), which will only be restored if Congress acts.
The U.S. Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for October 2018. In addition to the final action dates and dates for filing applications, the Bulletin also includes notes on the scheduled expiration of two employment visa categories, the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) and the Employment Fifth Preference Categories (I5 and R5), which will only be restored if Congress acts.
USCIS has advised that in October, both family-based and employment-based preference filings must use the dates for filing chart.
To view the full Bulletin, please visit:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2019/visa-bulletin-for-october-2018.html
To discuss your immigration goals, please contact us at theteam@huwelaw.com or 415-496-9040.
September 2018 Visa Bulletin Released
The U.S. Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for September 2018. In addition to final action dates and dates for filing applications, the bulletin also includes notes on the diversity visa cut-offs, Special Immigrant translator visa availability, and retrogression of September employment-based final action dates.
The U.S. Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for September 2018. In addition to final action dates and dates for filing applications, the bulletin also includes notes on the diversity visa cut-offs, Special Immigrant translator visa availability, and retrogression of September employment-based final action dates.
USCIS has advised that in September, family-based preference filings must use the dates for filing chart and employment-based preference filings must use the final action dates chart.
To view the full Bulletin, please visit:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2018/visa-bulletin-for-september-2018.html
To discuss your immigration goals, please contact us at theteam@huwelaw.com or 415-496-9040.
April 2018 Visa Bulletin Released
The U.S. Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for April 2018. In addition to filing and filing action dates, the Bulletin also includes information on diversity visa cut-offs, the special immigrant translator visa availability, over-subscription of the China-mainland born and India EB-1 categories, and visa availability in the Vietnam EB-5 category.
The U.S. Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for April 2018. In addition to filing and filing action dates, the Bulletin also includes information on diversity visa cut-offs, the special immigrant translator visa availability, over-subscription of the China-mainland born and India EB-1 categories, and visa availability in the Vietnam EB-5 category.
USCIS has advised that in April, it will be accepting adjustment of status applications based on filing dates for family-based cases, and final action dates for employment-based cases.
To view the full Bulletin, please visit:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2018/visa-bulletin-for-april-2018.html
To discuss your immigration goals, please contact us at theteam@huwelaw.com or 415-496-9040.
March 2018 Visa Bulletin Released
The U.S. Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for March 2018. In addition to filing and filing action dates, the Bulletin also includes information on diversity visa cut-offs, the special immigrant translator visa availability, visa availability in the Vietnam employment fifth preference category, and the scheduled expiration of two employment visa categories.
The U.S. Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for March 2018. In addition to filing and filing action dates, the Bulletin also includes information on diversity visa cut-offs, the special immigrant translator visa availability, visa availability in the Vietnam employment fifth preference category, and the scheduled expiration of two employment visa categories.
USCIS has not yet advised whether in March, it will be accepting adjustment of status applications based on filing or final action dates.
To view the full Bulletin, please visit:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2018/visa-bulletin-for-march-2018.html
To discuss your immigration goals, please contact us at theteam@huwelaw.com or 415-496-9040.
