Annual Report from the Visa Office of the State Department Shows Visa Denials based on Health Grounds Increase

“Over the past five years, the number of people declined a visa because of a “physical or mental disorder” has increased sharply, according to the annual Report of the Visa Office from the State Dept. In fiscal 2003, consular officials declined 62 applications for immigrant visas and 21 applications for nonimmigrant visas for this reason. In fiscal year 2008, embassies refused 479 applications for immigrant visas and 329 for nonimmigrant visas on the same grounds. During the same period, the total number of immigrant visas issued has seen only a modest rise. It is also becoming harder to get refusals overturned — in 2003, 37% of declined immigrant visas were later approved, while in 2008 only 19% were.” For the full story, click here.

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