The Washington Post’s editorial board warns that U.S. consular sections—led by the embassy in London—are denying B-1/B-2 and other non-immigrant visas at unprecedented rates on the basis of decades-old or even dismissed arrests. Using section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, officers need only decide an applicant lacks “sufficient ties” to their home country; no formal criminal conviction is required. According to Financial Times data cited in the piece, refusals at the London post jumped sharply in 2025 despite a 6 percent drop in overall U.S. arrivals. (washingtonpost.com)
Business travellers report denials for ancient offences such as minor cannabis possession, even when they previously held valid U.S. visas and complied with all terms. Immigration attorneys say appeal options are limited: applicants must either disclose the arrest and hope for a discretionary waiver, or omit it and risk a permanent misrepresentation bar.
The editorial argues the policy undercuts President Trump’s stated goal of boosting trade and investment. London alone issued about 150,000 non-immigrant visas in 2024, many to C-suite executives of multinationals with U.S. operations. Denials now disrupt board meetings, plant visits and deal closings, forcing firms to shift gatherings to Canada or the EU.
![Editorial flags surge in U.S. visa refusals for foreign executives over minor past arrests]()
If you find your executives or event attendees suddenly caught in this tightening net, VisaHQ can help. Its online U.S. visa portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-states/) walks applicants through disclosure requirements, cross-checks police certificates for omissions, and suggests alternative visa categories when appropriate, all while providing real-time status tracking and expert support.
For mobility teams the message is clear: no prior arrest is too small to matter. Travellers should obtain complete police-clearance certificates and be prepared for lengthy administrative processing. Companies may need to budget for I-Visa or E-1/E-2 alternatives and diversify leadership travel plans across multiple executives.
While the piece is an opinion, it amplifies growing private-sector concern that overly broad visa-refusal criteria are damaging America’s tourism and business brand. Barring a policy recalibration, analysts expect 2026 inbound business-travel figures to fall again, with knock-on effects for convention centres and hospitality employers.
Business travellers report denials for ancient offences such as minor cannabis possession, even when they previously held valid U.S. visas and complied with all terms. Immigration attorneys say appeal options are limited: applicants must either disclose the arrest and hope for a discretionary waiver, or omit it and risk a permanent misrepresentation bar.
The editorial argues the policy undercuts President Trump’s stated goal of boosting trade and investment. London alone issued about 150,000 non-immigrant visas in 2024, many to C-suite executives of multinationals with U.S. operations. Denials now disrupt board meetings, plant visits and deal closings, forcing firms to shift gatherings to Canada or the EU.
If you find your executives or event attendees suddenly caught in this tightening net, VisaHQ can help. Its online U.S. visa portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-states/) walks applicants through disclosure requirements, cross-checks police certificates for omissions, and suggests alternative visa categories when appropriate, all while providing real-time status tracking and expert support.
For mobility teams the message is clear: no prior arrest is too small to matter. Travellers should obtain complete police-clearance certificates and be prepared for lengthy administrative processing. Companies may need to budget for I-Visa or E-1/E-2 alternatives and diversify leadership travel plans across multiple executives.
While the piece is an opinion, it amplifies growing private-sector concern that overly broad visa-refusal criteria are damaging America’s tourism and business brand. Barring a policy recalibration, analysts expect 2026 inbound business-travel figures to fall again, with knock-on effects for convention centres and hospitality employers.
