Tourist visa rejections rise: These are the top reasons travelers are denied visas and how to avoid them

Every year, millions of travelers face the disappointment of having their visa application rejected. The numbers are higher than most expect.

In 2024, the United States visitor visa (B-1/B-2) rejection rate was approximately 29%, while Canada refused nearly 54% of Visitor Visa applications, resulting in more than 1.95 million denials in a single year.

In New Zealand, authorities rejected 10% of short-stay visa applications, leaving thousands of travelers stranded and out of pocket.

According to our proprietary processing data, the most common reasons for rejection are avoidable mistakes, incomplete forms, missing documents, or insufficient preparation.

These errors can give the impression that a traveler lacks strong ties to their home country, thereby increasing the risk of overstaying their visa. The result: a rejection that could have been prevented.

Our experts explain what applicants get wrong, why governments say no, and the “visa hacks” that can dramatically increase approval odds.

Why do visas get rejected?

Governments rarely give detailed feedback, but our data and global rejection trends reveal the most frequent causes:

• Incomplete or inconsistent applications: Errors in names, dates, or unchecked boxes are among the top reasons for rejection.
• Missing documents: Proof of accommodation, return tickets, or financial evidence often goes overlooked.
• Weak ties to home country: Applicants who fail to demonstrate employment, study, or family connections in their home country raise red flags.
• Financial insufficiency: Low balances or unclear income sources.
• Travel history concerns: Lack of international travel experience or a history of overstays elsewhere.

“With more than 13 years as a visa service provider, we’ve noticed many travelers could have been approved if they’d prepared their applications with enough time and detail. Of course, some rejections occur because applicants don’t meet the requirements, such as financial means," explains Luis Enrique Portal, iVisa's Head of Fulfillment. Adding:

"But for the majority, denials could have been prevented with better preparation or expert guidance to navigate the process, organize documents, and even prepare for interviews.”

The cost of rejection

Getting rejected isn’t just frustrating; it’s expensive. Visa fees range from $50 to more than $420, and they are almost always non-refundable, even if your application is denied.

Add the cost of cancelled flights, lost hotel deposits, and missed plans, and a single rejection can set travelers back hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

According to our data, travelers applying for some of the most in-demand visas and travel authorizations in 2025 – including the UK Visitor Visa, Schengen Visa, U.S. B1/B2 Visa, UK ETA, Indian e-Visa, and New Zealand Visitor Visa – risk losing anywhere from $20 to more than $200 per person if their application is refused.

This includes non-refundable government fees and additional costs, such as transportation to interviews, document printing, and other preparation expenses.

The new U.S. B1/B2 “Integrity Fee” could push the total loss per applicant to more than $435 by the end of 2025.

In 2024, an estimated 14.8% of Schengen Visa applications were denied, totaling almost 1.73 million.

With fees starting at €90 for adults and €45 for children, travelers collectively lost between €77.9 million and €155.8 million (around $86 million to $171 million). On average, travelers lost between $50 and $100 per rejected application, excluding costs related to travel and documents.

Visa hacks every traveler should know

Based on years of experience and millions of processed applications, our experts recommend these proven strategies to maximize approval chances:

• Apply early: Submit your application at least 3 - 4 weeks before departure to allow for delays. Our data shows that 1 in 4 travelers apply less than 48 hours before their flight, despite governments rarely expediting tourist visas, which can result in unnecessary delays.
• Read requirements twice: Each country has unique documentation rules, from photo sizes to proof of accommodation.
• Prove your ties to your home country: Provide strong evidence of work, study, or family commitments in your home country.
• Show financial readiness: Include bank statements, return tickets, and employer letters to demonstrate genuine intent.
• Avoid errors: Double-check names, passport numbers, and travel dates; even minor typos can trigger rejection.
• Prepare a clean file: Organize documents logically so visa officers don’t have to search for information.
• Get expert help: Our services reduce rejection risk by checking applications against specific country rules. Our document-check and pre-submission review features reduce user error rates by up to 40% compared to direct government applications.

What do governments really look for?

At their core, most visa approvals boil down to three questions. Failing to provide strong evidence for any of these three areas is the fastest way to get rejected.

• Is the traveler who they claim to be? – Checked through documents and biometrics.
• Can they afford the trip? – Proof of savings and stable income. And the most important one:
• Will they return home? – Ties to their home country like employment, family, or property.

The future of visa approvals

By 2030, the visa landscape is expected to shift toward more digitized and automated systems. Many governments are already piloting AI-driven document screening, where applications can be flagged or even denied automatically if information doesn’t align. While this may reduce processing times, it also raises the stakes: accuracy and preparation will matter more than ever.

Visa rejections will never disappear entirely, but they can be avoided. With millions of applications denied each year, the difference between approval and rejection often comes down to preparation.

“The best hack isn’t a shortcut. It’s preparation. Travelers who understand requirements, avoid mistakes, and present strong evidence are far more likely to get approved and enjoy their journeys stress-free,” reveals Ra'eesah Manack, our seasoned travel journalist.