Is it possible to get a US visa if I have no travel history?











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I am a Nigerian and I received an invitation from my uncle to visit him. I am applying for a US visitor visa. I have been rejected 3 times when I was single. Now I am married with a child, but have never travelled outside of my country before. What are my chances of getting the visa?










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  • Welcome to travel.stackexchange!
    – ajd
    Nov 27 at 5:22






  • 1




    The "rejected 3 times" part is much more significant than the "no travel history".
    – David Richerby
    Nov 27 at 14:48










  • Thank you for your response, presently, I have a new passport which has my husband's surname. Can the number of times I applied show up on my new passports?
    – 2rayo
    Nov 28 at 17:01















up vote
13
down vote

favorite












I am a Nigerian and I received an invitation from my uncle to visit him. I am applying for a US visitor visa. I have been rejected 3 times when I was single. Now I am married with a child, but have never travelled outside of my country before. What are my chances of getting the visa?










share|improve this question
























  • Welcome to travel.stackexchange!
    – ajd
    Nov 27 at 5:22






  • 1




    The "rejected 3 times" part is much more significant than the "no travel history".
    – David Richerby
    Nov 27 at 14:48










  • Thank you for your response, presently, I have a new passport which has my husband's surname. Can the number of times I applied show up on my new passports?
    – 2rayo
    Nov 28 at 17:01













up vote
13
down vote

favorite









up vote
13
down vote

favorite











I am a Nigerian and I received an invitation from my uncle to visit him. I am applying for a US visitor visa. I have been rejected 3 times when I was single. Now I am married with a child, but have never travelled outside of my country before. What are my chances of getting the visa?










share|improve this question















I am a Nigerian and I received an invitation from my uncle to visit him. I am applying for a US visitor visa. I have been rejected 3 times when I was single. Now I am married with a child, but have never travelled outside of my country before. What are my chances of getting the visa?







visas usa visa-refusals nigerian-citizens






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edited Nov 26 at 14:43









Glorfindel

2,31531935




2,31531935










asked Nov 26 at 14:11









2rayo

6914




6914












  • Welcome to travel.stackexchange!
    – ajd
    Nov 27 at 5:22






  • 1




    The "rejected 3 times" part is much more significant than the "no travel history".
    – David Richerby
    Nov 27 at 14:48










  • Thank you for your response, presently, I have a new passport which has my husband's surname. Can the number of times I applied show up on my new passports?
    – 2rayo
    Nov 28 at 17:01


















  • Welcome to travel.stackexchange!
    – ajd
    Nov 27 at 5:22






  • 1




    The "rejected 3 times" part is much more significant than the "no travel history".
    – David Richerby
    Nov 27 at 14:48










  • Thank you for your response, presently, I have a new passport which has my husband's surname. Can the number of times I applied show up on my new passports?
    – 2rayo
    Nov 28 at 17:01
















Welcome to travel.stackexchange!
– ajd
Nov 27 at 5:22




Welcome to travel.stackexchange!
– ajd
Nov 27 at 5:22




1




1




The "rejected 3 times" part is much more significant than the "no travel history".
– David Richerby
Nov 27 at 14:48




The "rejected 3 times" part is much more significant than the "no travel history".
– David Richerby
Nov 27 at 14:48












Thank you for your response, presently, I have a new passport which has my husband's surname. Can the number of times I applied show up on my new passports?
– 2rayo
Nov 28 at 17:01




Thank you for your response, presently, I have a new passport which has my husband's surname. Can the number of times I applied show up on my new passports?
– 2rayo
Nov 28 at 17:01










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
25
down vote














Is it possible to get a US visa if I have no travel history?




Yes. My first travel experience was as a visitor to the USA from Ghana which has a pretty similar profile to Nigeria in many respects including immigration statistics to western countries.



That said, your chances of getting a USA visa as your first travel experience after three successive rejections are very very very slim. On average, Nigerians have a 44.95% adjusted refusal rate when they apply for USA visitor visas, which is already on the high side. Without knowing (nor needing) any more information about you except what you provided here, I would say your probability of refusal is much higher than the average, maybe two times worse.



My advice to you is to build a travel history in a systematic manner then after a few years you can apply for a USA visa.






share|improve this answer























  • Thank you for your help. The invitation sent to me is scheduled for 9th of January 2019 and am scared of my chances of getting the visa because I don't know how to build traveling history within the short time
    – 2rayo
    Nov 27 at 8:15












  • @2rayo: Well, that's not going to work anyway. A sudden, large increase in the number of trips you take, without a good explanation why, could be considered a red flag more than anything else. A pattern of annual 1-2 week vacations is much more logical.
    – MSalters
    Nov 27 at 15:23


















up vote
5
down vote













According to what I've seen by many friends and family members applying U.S. visa, the most important thing they check is ... ties to your country or country of residence compared to reasons to stay in the U.S.



Having a stable job in a big company for several years is a big plus to get USA visa. Travel history also have a positive factor, especially traveling to developed countries. Family ties are important too but other than your spouse and your kids, I think other family does not weigh in much for your visa application.






share|improve this answer





















  • What is the motivation for you to return to Nigeria and have you provided this information in your visa application? Also having a home/house that you own, the job, the wife, the children are all factors. From a South African.
    – BossRoss
    Nov 27 at 9:24










  • Yes, am now married and have a 1year old child also working in a reputable organization and I also have a small business I do after working hours
    – 2rayo
    Nov 27 at 13:58










  • @2rayo Your wife and child are going with you?
    – Farhan
    Nov 27 at 14:06










  • I'm the wife, my husband and baby are not going, the invitation is for me alone
    – 2rayo
    Nov 27 at 14:44










  • Family staying behind can be interpreted in two ways: as a reason for OP to go back to her country, or as immigration threat, because if OP will stay as immigrant (illegal, seeking asylum etc), she'll try to bring child to join her. I don't know any way to guess what immigration officer will think about that.
    – Mołot
    Nov 27 at 15:12











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2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes








2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

votes






active

oldest

votes








up vote
25
down vote














Is it possible to get a US visa if I have no travel history?




Yes. My first travel experience was as a visitor to the USA from Ghana which has a pretty similar profile to Nigeria in many respects including immigration statistics to western countries.



That said, your chances of getting a USA visa as your first travel experience after three successive rejections are very very very slim. On average, Nigerians have a 44.95% adjusted refusal rate when they apply for USA visitor visas, which is already on the high side. Without knowing (nor needing) any more information about you except what you provided here, I would say your probability of refusal is much higher than the average, maybe two times worse.



My advice to you is to build a travel history in a systematic manner then after a few years you can apply for a USA visa.






share|improve this answer























  • Thank you for your help. The invitation sent to me is scheduled for 9th of January 2019 and am scared of my chances of getting the visa because I don't know how to build traveling history within the short time
    – 2rayo
    Nov 27 at 8:15












  • @2rayo: Well, that's not going to work anyway. A sudden, large increase in the number of trips you take, without a good explanation why, could be considered a red flag more than anything else. A pattern of annual 1-2 week vacations is much more logical.
    – MSalters
    Nov 27 at 15:23















up vote
25
down vote














Is it possible to get a US visa if I have no travel history?




Yes. My first travel experience was as a visitor to the USA from Ghana which has a pretty similar profile to Nigeria in many respects including immigration statistics to western countries.



That said, your chances of getting a USA visa as your first travel experience after three successive rejections are very very very slim. On average, Nigerians have a 44.95% adjusted refusal rate when they apply for USA visitor visas, which is already on the high side. Without knowing (nor needing) any more information about you except what you provided here, I would say your probability of refusal is much higher than the average, maybe two times worse.



My advice to you is to build a travel history in a systematic manner then after a few years you can apply for a USA visa.






share|improve this answer























  • Thank you for your help. The invitation sent to me is scheduled for 9th of January 2019 and am scared of my chances of getting the visa because I don't know how to build traveling history within the short time
    – 2rayo
    Nov 27 at 8:15












  • @2rayo: Well, that's not going to work anyway. A sudden, large increase in the number of trips you take, without a good explanation why, could be considered a red flag more than anything else. A pattern of annual 1-2 week vacations is much more logical.
    – MSalters
    Nov 27 at 15:23













up vote
25
down vote










up vote
25
down vote










Is it possible to get a US visa if I have no travel history?




Yes. My first travel experience was as a visitor to the USA from Ghana which has a pretty similar profile to Nigeria in many respects including immigration statistics to western countries.



That said, your chances of getting a USA visa as your first travel experience after three successive rejections are very very very slim. On average, Nigerians have a 44.95% adjusted refusal rate when they apply for USA visitor visas, which is already on the high side. Without knowing (nor needing) any more information about you except what you provided here, I would say your probability of refusal is much higher than the average, maybe two times worse.



My advice to you is to build a travel history in a systematic manner then after a few years you can apply for a USA visa.






share|improve this answer















Is it possible to get a US visa if I have no travel history?




Yes. My first travel experience was as a visitor to the USA from Ghana which has a pretty similar profile to Nigeria in many respects including immigration statistics to western countries.



That said, your chances of getting a USA visa as your first travel experience after three successive rejections are very very very slim. On average, Nigerians have a 44.95% adjusted refusal rate when they apply for USA visitor visas, which is already on the high side. Without knowing (nor needing) any more information about you except what you provided here, I would say your probability of refusal is much higher than the average, maybe two times worse.



My advice to you is to build a travel history in a systematic manner then after a few years you can apply for a USA visa.







share|improve this answer














share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer








edited Nov 26 at 18:38

























answered Nov 26 at 14:32









Honorary World Citizen

16.9k250100




16.9k250100












  • Thank you for your help. The invitation sent to me is scheduled for 9th of January 2019 and am scared of my chances of getting the visa because I don't know how to build traveling history within the short time
    – 2rayo
    Nov 27 at 8:15












  • @2rayo: Well, that's not going to work anyway. A sudden, large increase in the number of trips you take, without a good explanation why, could be considered a red flag more than anything else. A pattern of annual 1-2 week vacations is much more logical.
    – MSalters
    Nov 27 at 15:23


















  • Thank you for your help. The invitation sent to me is scheduled for 9th of January 2019 and am scared of my chances of getting the visa because I don't know how to build traveling history within the short time
    – 2rayo
    Nov 27 at 8:15












  • @2rayo: Well, that's not going to work anyway. A sudden, large increase in the number of trips you take, without a good explanation why, could be considered a red flag more than anything else. A pattern of annual 1-2 week vacations is much more logical.
    – MSalters
    Nov 27 at 15:23
















Thank you for your help. The invitation sent to me is scheduled for 9th of January 2019 and am scared of my chances of getting the visa because I don't know how to build traveling history within the short time
– 2rayo
Nov 27 at 8:15






Thank you for your help. The invitation sent to me is scheduled for 9th of January 2019 and am scared of my chances of getting the visa because I don't know how to build traveling history within the short time
– 2rayo
Nov 27 at 8:15














@2rayo: Well, that's not going to work anyway. A sudden, large increase in the number of trips you take, without a good explanation why, could be considered a red flag more than anything else. A pattern of annual 1-2 week vacations is much more logical.
– MSalters
Nov 27 at 15:23




@2rayo: Well, that's not going to work anyway. A sudden, large increase in the number of trips you take, without a good explanation why, could be considered a red flag more than anything else. A pattern of annual 1-2 week vacations is much more logical.
– MSalters
Nov 27 at 15:23












up vote
5
down vote













According to what I've seen by many friends and family members applying U.S. visa, the most important thing they check is ... ties to your country or country of residence compared to reasons to stay in the U.S.



Having a stable job in a big company for several years is a big plus to get USA visa. Travel history also have a positive factor, especially traveling to developed countries. Family ties are important too but other than your spouse and your kids, I think other family does not weigh in much for your visa application.






share|improve this answer





















  • What is the motivation for you to return to Nigeria and have you provided this information in your visa application? Also having a home/house that you own, the job, the wife, the children are all factors. From a South African.
    – BossRoss
    Nov 27 at 9:24










  • Yes, am now married and have a 1year old child also working in a reputable organization and I also have a small business I do after working hours
    – 2rayo
    Nov 27 at 13:58










  • @2rayo Your wife and child are going with you?
    – Farhan
    Nov 27 at 14:06










  • I'm the wife, my husband and baby are not going, the invitation is for me alone
    – 2rayo
    Nov 27 at 14:44










  • Family staying behind can be interpreted in two ways: as a reason for OP to go back to her country, or as immigration threat, because if OP will stay as immigrant (illegal, seeking asylum etc), she'll try to bring child to join her. I don't know any way to guess what immigration officer will think about that.
    – Mołot
    Nov 27 at 15:12















up vote
5
down vote













According to what I've seen by many friends and family members applying U.S. visa, the most important thing they check is ... ties to your country or country of residence compared to reasons to stay in the U.S.



Having a stable job in a big company for several years is a big plus to get USA visa. Travel history also have a positive factor, especially traveling to developed countries. Family ties are important too but other than your spouse and your kids, I think other family does not weigh in much for your visa application.






share|improve this answer





















  • What is the motivation for you to return to Nigeria and have you provided this information in your visa application? Also having a home/house that you own, the job, the wife, the children are all factors. From a South African.
    – BossRoss
    Nov 27 at 9:24










  • Yes, am now married and have a 1year old child also working in a reputable organization and I also have a small business I do after working hours
    – 2rayo
    Nov 27 at 13:58










  • @2rayo Your wife and child are going with you?
    – Farhan
    Nov 27 at 14:06










  • I'm the wife, my husband and baby are not going, the invitation is for me alone
    – 2rayo
    Nov 27 at 14:44










  • Family staying behind can be interpreted in two ways: as a reason for OP to go back to her country, or as immigration threat, because if OP will stay as immigrant (illegal, seeking asylum etc), she'll try to bring child to join her. I don't know any way to guess what immigration officer will think about that.
    – Mołot
    Nov 27 at 15:12













up vote
5
down vote










up vote
5
down vote









According to what I've seen by many friends and family members applying U.S. visa, the most important thing they check is ... ties to your country or country of residence compared to reasons to stay in the U.S.



Having a stable job in a big company for several years is a big plus to get USA visa. Travel history also have a positive factor, especially traveling to developed countries. Family ties are important too but other than your spouse and your kids, I think other family does not weigh in much for your visa application.






share|improve this answer












According to what I've seen by many friends and family members applying U.S. visa, the most important thing they check is ... ties to your country or country of residence compared to reasons to stay in the U.S.



Having a stable job in a big company for several years is a big plus to get USA visa. Travel history also have a positive factor, especially traveling to developed countries. Family ties are important too but other than your spouse and your kids, I think other family does not weigh in much for your visa application.







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered Nov 26 at 20:22









Farhan

1587




1587












  • What is the motivation for you to return to Nigeria and have you provided this information in your visa application? Also having a home/house that you own, the job, the wife, the children are all factors. From a South African.
    – BossRoss
    Nov 27 at 9:24










  • Yes, am now married and have a 1year old child also working in a reputable organization and I also have a small business I do after working hours
    – 2rayo
    Nov 27 at 13:58










  • @2rayo Your wife and child are going with you?
    – Farhan
    Nov 27 at 14:06










  • I'm the wife, my husband and baby are not going, the invitation is for me alone
    – 2rayo
    Nov 27 at 14:44










  • Family staying behind can be interpreted in two ways: as a reason for OP to go back to her country, or as immigration threat, because if OP will stay as immigrant (illegal, seeking asylum etc), she'll try to bring child to join her. I don't know any way to guess what immigration officer will think about that.
    – Mołot
    Nov 27 at 15:12


















  • What is the motivation for you to return to Nigeria and have you provided this information in your visa application? Also having a home/house that you own, the job, the wife, the children are all factors. From a South African.
    – BossRoss
    Nov 27 at 9:24










  • Yes, am now married and have a 1year old child also working in a reputable organization and I also have a small business I do after working hours
    – 2rayo
    Nov 27 at 13:58










  • @2rayo Your wife and child are going with you?
    – Farhan
    Nov 27 at 14:06










  • I'm the wife, my husband and baby are not going, the invitation is for me alone
    – 2rayo
    Nov 27 at 14:44










  • Family staying behind can be interpreted in two ways: as a reason for OP to go back to her country, or as immigration threat, because if OP will stay as immigrant (illegal, seeking asylum etc), she'll try to bring child to join her. I don't know any way to guess what immigration officer will think about that.
    – Mołot
    Nov 27 at 15:12
















What is the motivation for you to return to Nigeria and have you provided this information in your visa application? Also having a home/house that you own, the job, the wife, the children are all factors. From a South African.
– BossRoss
Nov 27 at 9:24




What is the motivation for you to return to Nigeria and have you provided this information in your visa application? Also having a home/house that you own, the job, the wife, the children are all factors. From a South African.
– BossRoss
Nov 27 at 9:24












Yes, am now married and have a 1year old child also working in a reputable organization and I also have a small business I do after working hours
– 2rayo
Nov 27 at 13:58




Yes, am now married and have a 1year old child also working in a reputable organization and I also have a small business I do after working hours
– 2rayo
Nov 27 at 13:58












@2rayo Your wife and child are going with you?
– Farhan
Nov 27 at 14:06




@2rayo Your wife and child are going with you?
– Farhan
Nov 27 at 14:06












I'm the wife, my husband and baby are not going, the invitation is for me alone
– 2rayo
Nov 27 at 14:44




I'm the wife, my husband and baby are not going, the invitation is for me alone
– 2rayo
Nov 27 at 14:44












Family staying behind can be interpreted in two ways: as a reason for OP to go back to her country, or as immigration threat, because if OP will stay as immigrant (illegal, seeking asylum etc), she'll try to bring child to join her. I don't know any way to guess what immigration officer will think about that.
– Mołot
Nov 27 at 15:12




Family staying behind can be interpreted in two ways: as a reason for OP to go back to her country, or as immigration threat, because if OP will stay as immigrant (illegal, seeking asylum etc), she'll try to bring child to join her. I don't know any way to guess what immigration officer will think about that.
– Mołot
Nov 27 at 15:12


















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