45.24% of applicants from Tajikistan were denied U.S. B1/B2 visitor visas in 2024, according to a new report from the U.S. State Department.  These short-term visas are intended for tourism, family visits, medical treatment, business meetings, and conferences.

To qualify, applicants must demonstrate the temporary nature of their trip and show strong ties to their home country.

Among Central Asian nations, Uzbekistan topped the list with a 64.41% refusal rate, followed by Turkmenistan — 58.80%, Kazakhstan — 46.29%, Tajikistan — 45.24%, and Kyrgyzstan — 39.14%.

U.S. authorities reportedly cite stricter visa controls as a key reason for the high denial rates.  Since 2025, consular officers have been required to review applicants' activity on social media platforms — including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (Twitter), and Telegram — going back five years.

Posts, reposts, and comments considered anti-American, extremist, or politically sensitive are flagged, and visa refusals can occur even without explanation.

The report also notes that student visa interviews were recently suspended at U.S. embassies worldwide as part of an overhaul to expand digital background checks.