Effects of Perceived Procedural Justice on the Relationship Between Visa Application Outcome and Psychological Distress: Evidence from Ghanaians and Nigerians Applying for U.S. Student Visas

Visa interviews are not just bureaucratic processes; they can have significant psychological effects on applicants. This study examined the impact of U.S. student visa outcomes on psychological distress among West African applicants, with particular attention to perceptions of procedural justice during the interview process. The study surveyed 203 Ghanaian and Nigerian individuals who had previously applied for a U.S. student visa. Psychological distress was measured using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and perceptions of fairness were measured with a custom-developed Procedural Justice Scale. Independent samples t-tests showed that denied applicants reported significantly higher distress, although elevated symptoms were also observed among approved applicants. Perceived procedural justice did not moderate the relationship between visa outcome and distress. However, a post hoc mediation analysis using Hayes’ PROCESS macro (Model 4) revealed that perceived procedural justice fully mediated this relationship. These findings suggest that applicants’ perceptions of fairness during the visa process may shape psychological responses more than whether their visa was approved or denied. The results point to the importance of transparent and respectful visa procedures that acknowledge applicants’ psychological experiences and support well-being.