Kenyan Woman Reveals How She Overcame Three US Visa Rejections to Reach America

A Kenyan woman has shared how she overcame several visa refusals before finally obtaining permission to travel to the United States, describing the emotional impact of the process and the persistence it required.

Rawder Kidula Kedaha recounted her experience in a Facebook post, urging people not to judge success solely by what they see. She said many Africans only announce their travels after reaching their destination, while keeping earlier visa rejections and setbacks private.

According to Kidula, her journey to the United States included three visa refusals before she was eventually granted approval. She said the experience taught her that visible achievements often follow years of disappointment and determination.

She recalled that her first application for a tourist visa involved extensive preparation, including careful financial planning, fasting and prayer. Confident that her salary and travel arrangements met the requirements, she expected to be approved but was instead refused. 

She said the rejection was particularly difficult because of the effort she had invested in the application. Kidula later submitted a second application, which was funded by her then fiancé. That application was also refused, adding to her frustration and leaving her uncertain about the process.

She said her application was finally approved after she changed her approach and presented a single, clearly defined reason for travelling. The revised application was successful, allowing her to secure a visa.

However, the challenges did not end there. Kidula said later applications for herself and her daughter were refused twice more, forcing them to wait two years before they were able to travel together through a different immigration process.

Reflecting on her experience, she said repeated visa refusals can have a significant emotional impact and are often kept private. She added that some applicants have faced as many as eight refusals before eventually succeeding, yet continue to reapply despite the setbacks.

Kidula said many people choose not to discuss unsuccessful visa interviews, preferring to share their stories only after they have achieved their goal. She believes this creates an incomplete picture of the challenges many applicants face.