Title 6 — Domestic SecurityRelease 119-73
§237 Information on visa denials required to be entered into electronic data system
Title 6 › Chapter CHAPTER 1— - HOMELAND SECURITY ORGANIZATION › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER IV— - BORDER, MARITIME, AND TRANSPORTATION SECURITY › Part Part C— - Miscellaneous Provisions › § 237
Summary
Consular officers must record every visa denial, the reason for it, and the applicant’s name in the government’s shared electronic visa database. If someone was denied before, no new visa or admission is allowed unless a consular officer reviews that record, marks the review on the application, and explains why a visa or a waiver is being given.
Full Legal Text
Title 6, §237
Domestic Security — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Whenever a consular officer of the United States denies a visa to an applicant, the consular officer shall enter the fact and the basis of the denial and the name of the applicant into the interoperable electronic data system implemented under section 1722(a) of title 8.
(b)In the case of any alien with respect to whom a visa has been denied under subsection (a)—
(1)no subsequent visa may be issued to the alien unless the consular officer considering the alien’s visa application has reviewed the information concerning the alien placed in the interoperable electronic data system, has indicated on the alien’s application that the information has been reviewed, and has stated for the record why the visa is being issued or a waiver of visa ineligibility recommended in spite of that information; and
(2)the alien may not be admitted to the United States without a visa issued in accordance with the procedures described in paragraph (1).
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
6 U.S.C. § 237
Title 6 — Domestic Security
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73