Denied B1/B2 visa section 412(b) need help

[SnowyFox]

Hello,

I’m from the UK and I love to travel. I’m in full-time employment, live with my parents, and own a motorcycle.

I’m writing because today I attended a U.S. visa interview and was denied under section 214(b). I currently have an ESTA, but due to this denial I’m concerned that it may now be invalid and that I could be denied entry if I try to visit the United States again. I’ve previously visited the U.S. six times.

According to the refusal letter, the reason for the denial was that I did not sufficiently demonstrate strong ties to my home country that would compel me to return after travelling to the United States.

For reference, my recent travel history is as follows:

2022: Two-week trip to New Hampshire in November

2023: November 20 – February 18: Trip to Seattle to visit friends and attend a convention (November 29 – December 5)

2024: November 7 – November 19: Trip to West Virginia

2024–2025: December 4 – March 3: Trip to Seattle again to visit the same friends

2025: August 16 – August 23: Trip to Atlanta to visit my boyfriend

2025: November 21 – November 29: Trip to Texas to spend my boyfriend’s and my anniversary and Thanksgiving with his parents

I also have two more trips planned next year, one in March and another in May.

I would really appreciate any advice on what steps I should take going forward.

Thank you.

[SnowyFox]

i forgot to mention my ESTA runs out in august 30th 2026,

[lolo2]

Why did you apply for a B1/B2 visa if you already have a valid ESTA?

Did you mention these trips and who you visited during the interview?

2025: August 16 – August 23: Trip to Atlanta to visit my boyfriend

2025: November 21 – November 29: Trip to Texas to spend my boyfriend’s and my anniversary and Thanksgiving with his parents

[SnowyFox]

Why did you apply for a B1/B2 visa if you already have a valid ESTA?

Did you mention these trips and who you visited during the interview?

2025: August 16 – August 23: Trip to Atlanta to visit my boyfriend

2025: November 21 – November 29: Trip to Texas to spend my boyfriend’s and my anniversary and Thanksgiving with his parents

I applied for a visa because I wanted something that lasts longer than 2 years and yes I mentioned who I was visiting by name and address

[lolo2]

Mentioning that you visited and will visit a boyfriend in the US with a visitor visa, may have raised a red flag to the consular officer.

Everyone is a potential immigrant to the US in the eyes of the officers. Despite visiting your boyfriend is a valid reason to travel there, in their view that increases the risk of you being a potential immigrant.

It's very likely any further B1/B2 visa applications will fail. I'd suggest renewing your ESTA when is time to do so - hoping they don't cancel it for the same reason.

[Ticktack]

This is a typical example of "what have you done?".
Interviews are more problematic and dare I say this, you've just shot yourself in the foot. And you used a very big gun.

Your current ESTA has been de facto made invalid.

You applying for a visa for a start makes the consular officer know that you might have ulterior motives of wanting to spend longer time in the US. You also mentioning that you have a boyfriend in the US shows that you have a reason and likelihood of possibly wanting to stay in the USA permanently.

If you attempt to travel to the US ATM, you would be returned at the Border. If you manage to make it that far. The air*lines might notice that your ESTA has been revoked/cancelled (with prejudice).
The easy way to find out is for you to apply for another ESTA. Now, you would be asked if you've ever been denied a US visa. You have to say yes and follow the line of questioning afterwards.
When you submit, you wouldn't get the automatic approval that comes in minutes. You would wait for days, as it has to go through a different approval process.

At this point is where you would be told **(possibly)** that it's denied and that you need to go to the embassy to get a visa.

So invariably, for you to travel to the US again, you would need a sticker visa issued at the US embassy.