Top Reasons Green Card Applications Are Denied

Waiting for a green card can feel like holding your breath. One USCIS notice can open the door to permanent life in the United States or slam it shut with a denial. 

At Wogwu Law, PLLC, we combine professional know-how with lived immigration stories, so we understand that each application carries a huge personal weight. This article points out the missteps that often lead to denials and shows how to avoid them.

1. Ineligibility for a Green Card

Not everyone living in the United States automatically fits the green card category. U.S. immigration law limits eligibility to family relationships, certain employment paths, or humanitarian grounds. Submitting a petition without meeting a qualifying relationship or an approved labor certification will almost always lead to refusal.

2. Errors and Omissions in the Application

Accuracy counts. Applicants often lose track of tiny details, and those details turn into big problems once a USCIS officer reviews the file.

Common mistakes include:

• Leaving questions blank instead of writing “N/A.”
• Listing the wrong arrival or departure dates.
• Forgetting signatures on Form I-864 or I-485.
• Sending foreign language documents without certified translations.
• Missing civil records, such as divorce decrees or adoption orders.

A second set of eyes, even from a trusted friend, can help spot gaps before the envelope goes out.

3. Missed Deadlines and Appointments

USCIS treats time frames seriously. Failing to appear for biometrics, the medical exam, or the interview signals the abandonment of the case. If an emergency arises, request a new date immediately; waiting until after the appointment usually forces a new filing fee and delays of months.

4. Insufficient Financial Resources

Sponsors must prove that the intending immigrant will not rely on public benefits. The Affidavit of Support requires income at 125 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for most sponsors. The file must include a joint sponsor or documented assets when income falls short.

Key evidence that helps satisfy USCIS includes:

1. Federal tax returns for the most recent year.
2. Six months of pay stubs or self-employment ledgers.
3. Bank or investment statements for assets being counted.

The petition risks a Request for Evidence or straight denial without solid proof.

5. Health-Related Grounds

A designated civil surgeon must complete Form I-693. Denials often stem from one of four problems:

• Positive test for a communicable disease, such as active tuberculosis.
• Missing or incomplete vaccination series.
• A mental or physical disorder tied to harmful behavior.
• Current drug abuse was confirmed by the exam.

Treatment records or proof of rehabilitation can sometimes overcome health issues, but waiting until after a denial makes the process tougher.

6. Criminal History

USCIS runs fingerprints through multiple databases. Certain convictions almost guarantee refusal, especially

• Crimes involving moral turpitude, such as fraud or theft.
• Drug trafficking offenses.
• Human trafficking or money laundering.
• Two or more convictions with a total jail time of five years or more.

Waivers exist for a narrow group of offenses, yet they require strong evidence of hardship for U.S. family members.

7. Prior Immigration Violations

A record of overstays, unlawful presence, or prior removal orders raises red flags. The three- and ten-year bars activate once a person leaves the country, making reentry difficult without a waiver. Misrepresentation, such as a false claim to U.S. citizenship, carries a lifetime bar unless a special waiver applies.

8. National Security Concerns

Any connection to terrorism, espionage, or human rights violations can halt a case immediately. Even indirect support for a designated group may lead to denial.

9. Fraud or Misrepresentation

Providing false documents or hiding past immigration violations can lead to a finding of fraud. While some applicants may qualify for a Form I-601 waiver, the burden of proof is heavy, and the processing time is long.

10. Insufficient or Missing Evidence

Applicants must prove every element required in their category. A marriage-based petition, for example, needs strong proof of a real relationship. Weak evidence often looks like:

• Only a wedding photo with no further shared life records.
• No joint leases, joint bank statements, or shared insurance policies.
• Lack of sworn statements from friends and family who know the couple.

Filling gaps now is easier than explaining them after a denial.

11. Not Eligible to Apply from Inside the U.S.

Status adjustment is limited. Problems commonly arise when a person enters as a tourist and files within 60 days, crosses the border without inspection, or is subject to the two-year home residency rule after a J-1 visa.

12. Changes in Circumstances

Eligibility must last until USCIS issues the green card. During the wait, losing a sponsoring job, finalizing a divorce, or picking up a criminal charge can derail the process.

13. Immigrant Visa Not Available

Preference categories, such as married adult children of U.S. citizens, rely on visa numbers that run out each fiscal year. Filing before the priority date becomes current can lead to denial.

Table 1 – Frequent Denial Reasons at a Glance

Ground of Denial	Typical Evidence Required	Possible Remedy
Financial shortfall	Tax transcripts, pay stubs, bank statements	Joint sponsor or assets valued at 5× shortfall
Incomplete forms	Signed and dated I-485, I-864, I-130	Amend with full forms before the RFE deadline
Health issues	Form I-693 signed by a civil surgeon	Treatment, updated vaccinations, or a medical letter
Criminal record	Certified court dispositions	Waiver for qualifying relatives in select cases
Prior overstay	I-94 records, passport stamps	Possible I-601A waiver if extreme hardship to a U.S. relative and an approved visa petition

Reviewing the chart while gathering paperwork can save valuable time and prevent errors.

What to Do If Your Green Card Application Is Denied

A denial letter hurts, yet it does not always signal the end. First, read the notice line by line to confirm exactly why the officer refused the case. Next, decide whether an appeal, a motion to reopen, or a fresh application fits best. If the denial rests on officer error or missing evidence that exists, a motion to reopen may work. Where new qualifying facts arise, a new filing with clearer evidence might move faster than waiting for an appeal.

Contact Wogwu Law for Your Immigration Needs

Green card denials rip through future plans, but solid legal support can turn things around. At Wogwu Law, PLLC, we focus on smart strategies that keep families together and careers on track. Call us at 919-964-5472 or visit our Contact Us page to schedule a confidential consultation today.