A green card is the key to building a secure future in the United States, but the application process isn’t always straightforward. Many applicants assume that filing the paperwork is enough, only to face unexpected delays or denials that put their plans on hold.
Each year, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) denies thousands of green card applications due to missing documents, past immigration violations, financial concerns, or background issues. Even minor mistakes can lead to months or even years of setbacks.
So, understanding the most common reasons for green card denial can help you avoid unnecessary obstacles and improve your chances of approval.
At The Chidolue Law Firm, we have helped countless applicants navigate the green card application process and prevent costly mistakes.
Let’s break down the top reasons for denial—and how you can avoid them.
1. Ineligibility for a Green Card
Many applicants assume they automatically qualify for a green card, but not everyone is eligible. U.S. immigration law limits who can apply based on family relationships, employment, humanitarian programs, and special categories. Applying under the wrong category or failing to meet the specific eligibility requirements can result in green card denial.
Common Eligibility Issues That Lead to Denial:
✔ Applying for a family-based green card without proving a qualifying relationship (e.g., lack of proof of a good faith marriage or a qualifying marriage).
✔ Failing to meet employment-based green card requirements, such as lacking an approved labor certification.
✔ Applying through adjustment of status when consular processing is required.
How to Avoid This Issue
📌 Before applying, carefully review the green card eligibility requirements under your category. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, consulting an experienced immigration attorney can help you avoid wasting time and money on an ineligible application.
2. Errors or Omissions in the Application
Filing a green card application is not just about filling out forms, it requires accuracy, consistency, and complete documentation. Even minor mistakes can result in green card denial or lengthy delays due to requests for evidence (RFEs) from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Common Errors That Lead to Denial:
✔ Incomplete forms – Missing required sections or failing to sign the application.
✔ Incorrect information – Providing inaccurate details about your immigration history, family member relationships, or financial status.
✔ Missing supporting documents – Failing to submit birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, or other key supporting evidence.
✔ Translation issues – Submitting documents in a foreign language without the required English translation.
How to Avoid This Issue
📌 Carefully review all green card application forms before submission. Ensure you provide sufficient evidence and include all required supporting documents. To avoid mistakes, consider having an immigration attorney review your application before filing.
3. Missing Required Appointments
The green card application process includes several mandatory USCIS appointments, such as biometrics (fingerprinting), interviews, and medical exams. Failure to attend these appointments without rescheduling can result in green card denial.
Key Appointments Applicants Must Attend:
✔ Biometrics Appointment – USCIS collects fingerprints, photographs, and a signature for background checks.
✔ Green Card Interview – USCIS officers review your case, verify your identity, and assess the validity of your application.
✔ Medical Exam – A government-approved doctor evaluates whether you meet health-related eligibility requirements and have received the required vaccinations.
How to Avoid This Issue
📌 Keep track of all USCIS appointment notices and attend them on time. If you cannot make an appointment, request a reschedule immediately through the appropriate immigration services to avoid complications. Missing your interview without notice could result in denial of the green card application.
4. Insufficient Financial Support
One of the most common reasons for green card denial is the failure to prove that the applicant will not become a financial burden on the U.S. government. USCIS requires sufficient financial resources to ensure that a green card applicant will not rely on government assistance after approval.
Common Financial Issues That Lead to Denial:
✔ Insufficient financial resources – The sponsor (typically a family member) does not meet the required income level for the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864).
✔ Lack of a joint sponsor – If the primary sponsor does not have enough financial resources, a joint sponsor must step in, or the application may be denied.
✔ Receiving government benefits – If an applicant is found to be a public charge, meaning they depend on government benefits, USCIS may deny the green card application.
How to Avoid This Issue
📌 Ensure the sponsoring family member meets the financial requirements set by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If they do not earn enough, they should find a joint sponsor who qualifies. Providing sufficient financial evidence, such as tax returns, pay stubs, and bank statements, can help strengthen your application.
5. Health-Related Issues
A medical exam is a required part of the green card application process, and certain health concerns can lead to green card denial. USCIS wants to ensure that applicants do not pose a public health risk or require excessive government medical resources.
Health Conditions That Can Lead to Denial:
✔ Communicable diseases – Certain conditions, such as tuberculosis (TB) or untreated syphilis, may result in ineligibility.
✔ Lack of required vaccinations – Green card applicants must receive all required vaccinations to be eligible.
✔ Physical or mental disorder with harmful behavior – If a government-approved doctor determines that a medical condition could cause harm to others, USCIS may deny the application.
✔ Drug addiction or abuse – A history of drug use or evidence of drug trafficking can negatively affect eligibility.
How to Avoid This Issue
📌 Attend your medical exam with a government-approved doctor and ensure all required vaccinations are up to date. If you have a treatable medical condition, get medical documentation that proves you are undergoing treatment and are not a risk to public health.
6. Criminal History
A criminal record can be a major obstacle in the green card application process. While not all criminal convictions lead to green card denial, certain offenses—especially those categorized as crimes involving moral turpitude (CIMT)—can make an applicant inadmissible under U.S. immigration law.
Criminal Offenses That Can Lead to Denial:
✔ Crimes involving moral turpitude (CIMT) – Crimes such as fraud, theft, or violent offenses can make an applicant ineligible.
✔ Drug trafficking or possession – Drug trafficking offenses almost always result in a permanent bar from obtaining a green card.
✔ Human trafficking – Applicants with any involvement in human trafficking are ineligible for lawful permanent residence.
✔ Money laundering or terrorist ties – National security-related crimes such as money laundering or terrorist efforts result in automatic ineligibility.
✔ Multiple criminal convictions – If an applicant has been convicted of two or more crimes with a total sentence of five years or more, their green card application may be denied.
How to Avoid This Issue
📌 Full disclosure is essential. If you have any criminal history, be upfront in your application and provide all necessary court records. Some convictions may be eligible for a waiver under immigration law. Working with an experienced immigration attorney can help determine if a waiver is an option and how to strengthen your case.
7. Prior Immigration Violations
A history of immigration violations can significantly impact an applicant’s chances of obtaining a green card. USCIS and other immigration authorities carefully review an applicant’s past immigration records, and any violations can lead to delays, denials, or even removal proceedings.
Common Immigration Violations That Lead to Denial:
✔ Unlawful presence – Staying in the U.S. beyond the authorized period on a visa can result in bars to reentry.
✔ Overstaying a visa – If an applicant has remained in the U.S. past their visa expiration without applying for adjustment of status, their case may be denied depending on which family member is petitioning for them
✔ False claims to U.S. citizenship – Providing false information about U.S. citizenship status can result in a permanent green card denial.
✔ Fraud or misrepresentation – Submitting fraudulent documents or making false statements during the green card application process or any previous tourist visas can lead to denial and possible legal consequences.
✔ Prior deportations or removal orders – Applicants who have been deported or ordered removed must seek special permission to return.
How to Avoid This Issue
📌 Before filing a green card application, applicants should carefully review their immigration history. If you have a prior immigration violation, an immigration attorney can assess whether you qualify for a waiver or if there are alternative legal pathways to apply for lawful permanent residence.
8. Security Concerns
The U.S. government prioritizes national security, and any connection to activities that pose a risk to the country can lead to green card denial. USCIS, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and other immigration authorities conduct thorough background checks on all green card applicants to assess potential security risks.
Security-Related Reasons for Green Card Denial:
✔ Involvement in terrorist activities – Any past or current ties to terrorist groups or terrorist efforts can result in an immediate denial.
✔ Espionage or sabotage – Engaging in activities that threaten U.S. national security is grounds for ineligibility.
✔ Participation in human rights violations – Applicants who have been involved in genocide, torture, or war crimes will not be granted lawful permanent residence.
✔ Affiliation with totalitarian or extremist groups – If an applicant has been a member of a group that opposes U.S. democratic values, their case will be closely examined and may be denied.
✔ Involvement in money laundering – USCIS considers money laundering a serious offense that could result in denial.
How to Avoid This Issue
📌 Applicants should fully disclose any past affiliations or travel history that may raise concerns during background checks. If there is any potential security issue, working with an experienced immigration attorney is essential to assess risks and explore possible solutions before submitting an application.
9. Failure to Provide Sufficient Evidence
One of the most common reasons for green card denial is failing to submit sufficient evidence to prove eligibility. USCIS requires detailed documentation to verify that an applicant meets the requirements for lawful permanent residence. Missing or incomplete supporting documents can lead to delays, requests for evidence (RFEs), or outright denial.
Common Documentation Issues That Lead to Denial:
✔ Lack of proof of family relationships – Applicants for a family-based green card must provide birth certificates, marriage certificates, or divorce decrees to verify their connection to a sponsoring family member.
✔ Insufficient financial evidence – Failing to demonstrate sufficient financial resources or provide a valid Affidavit of Support can result in denial.
✔ Weak evidence in marriage-based applications – Couples applying for a marriage-based green card must prove their relationship is genuine, using documents such as joint bank accounts, shared leases, and photos together amongst many other supporting evidence.
✔ Failure to submit appropriately translated documents – USCIS requires both the translation and the original document if a record is not in English.
✔ Incomplete application package – Missing required forms or filing fee payments can lead to an automatic rejection.
How to Avoid This Issue
📌 Applicants should carefully review all document requirements before submitting their green card application. Ensuring that all supporting documentation is complete, translated, and properly filed can prevent unnecessary delays. Consulting with an immigration attorney can help applicants prepare a strong case and avoid missing key evidence.
Why is Legal Guidance Important?
The green card application process is complex, and even small mistakes can result in delays, requests for evidence (RFEs), or outright denial. Understanding the common reasons for green card denial is the first step in avoiding pitfalls, but navigating U.S. immigration laws can still be challenging.
Working with an experienced immigration attorney can help you:
✔ Ensure your application is complete and error-free
✔ Provide sufficient evidence to support your eligibility
✔ Navigate legal complexities, including prior immigration violations or criminal history
✔ Respond effectively to RFEs or appeal a denial if necessary
At The Chidolue Law Firm, we specialize in family-based, employment-based, and humanitarian immigration cases. We have helped countless applicants successfully navigate the green card application process and avoid costly mistakes.
Start Your Immigration Journey with Confidence
📌 Don’t let avoidable mistakes stand in the way of your green card approval. Get the expert guidance you need to avoid delays and denials.
📞 Call The Chidolue Law Firm today at:
➡ 407-995-6567
➡ 678-325-1037
💬 For WhatsApp inquiries, contact us at:
➡ 404-333-8751
Let us help you secure your future in the U.S. with confidence. Your immigration success starts here.
