Denied access to a country? Know your rights and responsibilities

Posted on: Jul 6, 2023 | | Written by:

Denied access to a country? Know your rights and responsibilities

Published on July 06, 2023. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes

Are you planning to travel abroad? If yes, it is highly probable that you already have identified a destination. And a valid visa is one of the most important documents that you will need. Apart from individual travel insurance plans, if it is mandated. Yet, one can be denied entry to a country at times.

When can a country deny entry to an individual?

There are a couple of situations, where a person might be denied access to a country. It is either via visa refusal or visa rejection. It usually happens when the authorities find that the applicant isn’t eligible to travel. The following are some more details about visa refusal and visa rejection.

Are via rejections and visa refusals common?

Depending on the country that you are planning to travel to, getting a visa can either be an easy walk-through or can be a bit difficult if the country is very strict. In either case, it is important to keep yourself educated about different processes related to visas.

If you receive a visa to a country, you can start planning your trip right away. However, there are chances of visa rejection or visa refusal.

The probability of having your visa refused is very rare. On the other hand, getting a visa rejected is more probable. Visa rejection usually happens when a person is travelling to a country for the very first time or has misunderstood some of the guidelines or missed providing adequate documents.

Both, visa refusal and visa rejection can throw you off guard and most probably result in cancellation of plans.

Understanding the difference between visa refusal and visa rejection

Understanding the difference between a visa refusal and rejection is important if you are trying to fly to some country. A common reason for visa rejection is any discrepancy with the visa application. If you fail to meet all the visa requirements specified by a country, it increases the chances of visa rejection. Similarly, if you do not provide the necessary supporting documentation, your visa can be rejected. However, most countries do allow you to appeal a rejection. And if you have enough time at hand, you can even apply for a new visa.

Visa refusal, on the other hand, can be a bit more stressful and serious. Visa refusal happens when a person travels to another country and the immigration officer does not provide you entry to the country. Though the possibility of such occurrences is a bit rare, it is not impossible. Here are a few situations when you can be denied entry even with a valid visa.

1. If there were some errors in documents and your airline has missed them.

2. If your passport does not have enough validity, from the date of your departure to a country.

3. If you are caught travelling with some contraband without any declaration.

4. If you fail to furnish an onward ticket, which is required by some countries, the immigration officer can refuse your entry, even with a valid visa.

5. If the border guards find that you do not have enough funds or proof of funds and there are concerns regarding the intention of your stay.

Can an applicant know the reason for a visa rejection?

A visa is more than a simple document that provides you entry to another country. It contains a lot of important information such as your passport number, name, date of birth, purpose of travel and the legally permissible length of stay. Thus, it is not surprising that countries will need enough supporting documents and proof to provide a visa.

We already know some of the reasons that can lead to visa rejections if you have applied for one. However, here are the more prominent reasons for visa rejections.

1. An applicant does not have adequate reasons to travel or has selected the wrong category of visa for travel purposes.

2. An applicant has a criminal record.

3. An applicant is unable to provide adequate financial information to show that they can sponsor their trip and manage expenses during their stay.

4. An applicant did not provide the right set of supporting documents or provided documents that are past their validity.

5. An applicant was unable to answer the questions properly during a visa interview.

If your visa application was rejected, you can reach out to the respective embassy or consulate about the reason for cancellation. You can then take the remedial action.

Impact of visa rejection on future travel plans

Visa rejections can have a broader impact than one can imagine. To start with, it will not only spoil your current travel plans but play a spoilsport in the future as well. The rejection will be visible for all future applications, and it might make it a bit more expensive and time-consuming to get a visa for that country.

Likewise, getting visas for other countries can also become tricky, as other countries will also look for the intent for travel and any previous rejections. And if a single visa is valid for multiple countries, it can limit your travel options as well. You can reduce the chances of visa rejections to a large extent by following a few simple measures.

1. Ensure that you keep all the necessary documents in one place. Certain countries require international travel insurance. Ensure that you opt for travel insurance that is valid for your travel dates.

2. If you are travelling for work or higher education, make sure that you prepare well for the interview. Your answers should be clear and confident.

3. If you are nervous or are unable to comprehend what the immigrant officer is asking, you can ask for clarification.

4. If you aren’t sure about the process, do not hesitate to take the help of an expert or operator.

Conclusion

Though visa refusal is rare, it can still happen. On the other hand, visa rejection is a more common occurrence. It is important that you pay close attention to the visa application process and provide all the necessary information and documents. Some countries mandate travelers to opt for travel insurance plans. Not having one, can impact your chances of getting a visa.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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