§237 Information on Visa Denials Required to Be Entered Into Electronic Data System

Summary

Consular officers must record every visa refusal in the government’s shared electronic system. They must put in the person’s name, that the visa was denied, and the reasons for the denial. If a person who was once denied applies again, the consular officer handling the new application must look at that record, note on the application that they reviewed it, and say on the record why they are now issuing a visa or recommending a waiver despite the earlier denial. A person cannot enter the United States unless the visa they use was issued following those steps.