Roger Ver Denied US Visa to Attend Miami Bitcoin Conference

Bitcoin entrepreneur and activist Roger Ver has been denied a non-immigrant visa to visit his native USA for a third time.

AccessTimeIconJan 7, 2015 at 9:49 a.m. UTC
Updated Sep 11, 2021 at 11:25 a.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

Bitcoin entrepreneur Roger Ver has been effectively locked out of his native USA after this week being denied a non-immigrant visa for the third time.

Ver, who publicly gave up his US citizenship in 2014, was planning to speak at the North American Bitcoin Conference in Miami from 16-18th January.

He tweeted the following message to his 18,800 followers:

— Roger Ver (@rogerkver) January 6, 2015

Ver told CoinDesk that despite rejecting his application three times at $160 per application, officials have refused to examine documentation and evidence he provided to support his case.

While it is not possible to appeal against the decision, Ver is permitted to apply again from scratch.

Illegal immigrant concern

The official reason for rejection, as stated by the US embassy in Barbados, was that Ver could not demonstrate sufficiently that his ties to any country other than the US were strong enough for him to leave the US.

The rejection stated:

"One of the most common elements within the various nonimmigrant visa requirements is for the applicant to demonstrate that they have a residence in a foreign country which they have no intention of abandoning ... You have not demonstrated that you have the ties that will compel you to return to your home country after your travel to the United States."

Effectively, the Immigration Service is concerned that he may try to overstay his visa and become an illegal immigrant in his home country.

Embassy officials reportedly refused to even look at documentation regarding the business Ver started in Japan in 2006, or any of the other nine years worth of history he has with that country.

"They wouldn’t even let me slide the documents regarding Japan through the slot in the window," he added.

Ver's parents, siblings and extended family all live in the US, including one uncle he says "has stage-four cancer and the odds are very bad".

Former US citizen

Famous for his libertarian/anarchist political views, Ver became a citizen of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, a small Caribbean nation, in February 2014 and handed in his US passport a month later.

A frequent attendee and guest speaker at bitcoin conferences worldwide, he makes a point of wearing a 'borders are imaginary lines' T-shirt when going through immigration at airports.

 Ver posted this picture after his embassy appointment in Barbados
Ver posted this picture after his embassy appointment in Barbados

Asked whether his decision to renounce his US citizenship might have been a mistake in hindsight, he said:

"I checked with lawyers very carefully before I renounced, and they clearly assured me that I will qualify for a visa to visit the USA. I would be fine with them denying my visa if it was for a valid reason, but they are either lying, ignorant, or stupid when they claim that I plan to secretly overstay my visa and live as an illegal immigrant in the USA."

Ver initially left the US almost nine years ago, after serving a 10-month prison sentence and three years' probation for selling agricultural firecrackers online. Since then he has resided mainly in Japan, and has not visited the US for nearly a year.

Despite his record, Ver said he has not had difficulty gaining access to any other country, including the notoriously strict Japan.

Image courtesy Roger Ver

Disclosure

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.


Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.


Read more about