Being denied a Green Card is unfortunate, particularly if you’ve spent a long time putting together your application. Depending on the reason, it might be possible to reapply, providing you fix any errors that led to the initial denial.

In this post, we’ll look at some of the most common reasons why immigrants are denied a Green Card. Where possible, we’ll offer suggestions on how to fix these issues, too.

Reasons Why Immigrants are Denied a Green Card

As you may already know, there are different ways to apply for a Green Card, such as via work, family, or investment. The specific reasons for denial can vary between application routes, but there are some common ones that remain true for each Green Card category. These are:

Health Reasons

As part of the Green Card application process, you’ll need to attend a physical exam. This is to check you’re healthy enough to not become a burden on the US state in the future. Specifically, this means needing social security, such as unemployment benefits or Medicaid.

There’s no real checklist for why you might be denied a Green Card for health reasons, although it might be because of severe mental health or long-term physical conditions. If these could result in you not working while in the US, you might have your application denied. It can also include evidence of drug or alcohol dependence.

One part that is pretty clear is whether you’re carrying an infectious disease. It doesn’t include minor conditions, such as the flu, but rather focuses on diseases that could endanger the American public. Some specific examples include Syphilis, Tuberculosis, Gonorrhea, and HIV.

Criminal Convictions

Criminal convictions are perhaps one of the most common reasons why immigrants are denied a Green Card. You should always answer the question honestly and list any convictions you might have. However, not all convictions will lead to a Green Card denial.

There are 3 categories of conviction that’ll most likely lead to your application being denied:

Aggravated felony (an American class of crime)
Crime of moral turpitude
Relevant drug crime

Unsurprisingly, these legal terms are a bit vague. In short, aggravated felonies and crimes of moral turpitude often overlap. Crimes such as murder and fraud count as both. Drug crimes are fairly obvious: they include everything drug-related.

If your application is denied because of criminal convictions, you can apply for a waiver of inadmissibility. This is simply a document explaining why you should be allowed a Green Card despite not meeting the criteria. You have to give a reason, such as hardship for family members if you’re not allowed to enter the United States.

Doing so can be complicated, particularly if you’re not familiar with the language or terminology. So, if you know you have criminal convictions you think might lead to the denial of your Green Card application, contact a lawyer before you even start.

Immigration-Related Offenses

It shouldn’t be a shock that committing immigration offenses could result in you being denied a Green Card. These can include entering the US illegally, lying on a Green Card application, or overstaying a visa. The US State Department sees these as evidence that you’re probably not trustworthy enough to hold a Green Card.

Again, an immigration offense won’t always mean automatic denial, but it certainly won’t help your case. Make sure you speak to a lawyer and follow through with the consequences of your offense before starting an application.

Admin Errors

The most common reason we see for immigrants being denied a Green Card is due to errors on their application forms. It can be as simple as not filling in a box, misunderstanding what the form asks, or incorrect photos. Studies over the last 25 years show that 65% of all applicants are disqualified each year because of minor errors in their Diversity Immigrant Visa Application form. Also, failing to submit on time or attend the visa interview can lead to the denial of an application.

The easiest way to overcome this issue is to get professional help completing your application. This could be from an immigration lawyer or a friend or family member who understands English. However, the US Green Card Office specializes in submitting Green Card applications, and with millions of successful applications submitted since 1998, using the paid service will be your best chance of getting a Green Card to the United States of America.

Final Thoughts

Arguably the easiest way to get a Green Card is through the Green Card Lottery. If you win a Green Card, you don’t have to worry about having a job lined up. However, completing the form can still mean running into the above problems.

To ensure you avoid these as much as possible, use the value-added Green Card Lottery Service provided by US Green Card Office. Complete our application form today or reach out to our Immigration Support Team for more information