Indian Doctor’s US B1/B2 Visa Denial Despite Robust Travel History Sparks Online Debate

Mumbai, India – August 26, 2025 – A 26-year-old Mumbai-based doctor was left reeling after her application for a US B1/B2 visa was rejected, despite an extensive travel history spanning nearly ten countries, including Schengen states and Southeast Asian nations. The first-year postgraduate resident, who shared her experience on Reddit under the username u/MedicoMumbai26, expressed shock and sought advice from netizens, questioning whether mentioning her sister’s enrollment in a US university or her family’s travel plans contributed to the denial. The incident, reported by Hindustan Times and amplified on X by @htTweets and @FinancialXpress, has ignited discussions about the complexities of US visa processes and the challenges Indian applicants face in proving non-immigrant intent.

Details of the Visa Denial

The doctor, a practicing physician specializing in internal medicine, applied for a B1/B2 visa to visit the United States with her family, both parents of whom hold valid US visas. During her visa interview at the US Consulate in Mumbai on August 20, 2025, she highlighted her stable career, earning ₹8 lakh annually, and her travel history, which included countries like Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Vietnam, Morocco, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Dubai. She also mentioned her sister, a second-year university student in the US, and her intention to travel with family for tourism.

According to her Reddit post, the consular officer asked about her travel purpose, career, and family ties in the US. Despite her detailed responses, the officer abruptly concluded the interview, stating, “Ma’am, you are ineligible for the visa currently,” and issued a 214(b) refusal slip, citing failure to overcome the presumption of immigrant intent under Section 214(b) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act (Hindustan Times,). The doctor, stunned by the decision, wrote, “Should I have said 20 instead of 8 [countries]? Should I not have mentioned travelling with family? Please let me know what I said wrong,” sparking a flurry of responses online.

Context of the Application

The doctor had completed two DS-160 forms: one during her gap year in 2024, when she was preparing for the NEET PG exam and listed herself as a student, and another in 2025 after securing her postgraduate seat, updating her income and employment details. Her robust travel history, which included Schengen states and other countries with stringent visa processes, was intended to demonstrate strong ties to India and a pattern of returning home after international travel. However, the mention of her sister in the US and her family’s travel plans raised concerns among Reddit users, who speculated that these factors signaled potential ties to the US, increasing the perceived risk of overstaying (Hindustan Times,).

Reddit comments, as cited by BusinessToday and Times of India, pointed to common pitfalls in B1/B2 visa interviews. One user noted, “Mentioning family in the US, especially a sibling studying there, can be a red flag for consular officers,” while another advised, “You should’ve emphasized your job and ties to India more, not your sister” (BusinessToday,; Times of India,). The consensus was that, despite her strong profile, the consular officer likely viewed her sister’s presence as a potential incentive to remain in the US.

US Visa Policy and Section 214(b)

Under Section 214(b) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act, non-immigrant visa applicants must prove strong ties to their home country, such as stable employment, property, or family obligations, to overcome the presumption that they intend to immigrate (travel.state.gov,). The B1/B2 visa, used for business or tourism, requires applicants to demonstrate that their visit is temporary and that they will return home after their authorized stay. Common reasons for 214(b) denials include insufficient ties to the home country, vague travel plans, or perceived risks of overstaying, particularly when applicants have close family in the US (atlys.com,).

The doctor’s case mirrors a similar incident reported in April 2025, where an Indian man’s B1/B2 visa was denied in 40 seconds after mentioning a girlfriend in Florida and lacking prior international travel (BusinessToday,; Times of India,). Reddit users in that case labeled it a “textbook denial,” citing the mention of a US-based relationship as a trigger for rejection (Reddit,). The Mumbai doctor’s situation, however, is notable for her extensive travel history, which typically strengthens a visa application by showing compliance with international visa regulations (rapidvisa.com,).

Reactions and Online Discourse

The doctor’s Reddit post, shared on X by @official8pmnews, garnered significant attention, with netizens offering advice and sharing similar experiences. One X user, @VisaGuruIndia, commented, “Consular officers are trained to spot any US ties. Mentioning your sister was a mistake, even if unintentional. Focus on your job and India ties next time” (X,). Others expressed frustration with the opaque visa process, with @TravelIndia tweeting, “Solid travel history, stable job, and still rejected? US visa system is a black box” (X,).

Opposition leaders seized on the incident to criticize US visa policies. Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh tweeted, “Indian professionals face unfair hurdles despite stellar credentials. Time for diplomatic talks to ease visa norms” (X,). The BJP, however, remained silent, with no official response reported. The US Embassy in New Delhi issued a standard statement to Hindustan Times, noting that visa decisions are made case-by-case and that applicants can reapply with stronger evidence of ties to India (Hindustan Times,).

Broader Implications

The denial highlights the stringent nature of US visa screenings for Indian applicants, even those with strong profiles. Data from the US State Department shows that India had a B1/B2 visa refusal rate of approximately 20% in 2024, among the highest globally, due to the high volume of applications and concerns about overstaying (travel.state.gov,). The case also underscores the challenges of navigating the DS-160 form and interview process, where seemingly innocuous details, like mentioning family in the US, can trigger a 214(b) rejection (atlys.com,).

Experts recommend that applicants emphasize ties to India, such as property ownership, long-term employment, or dependent family members, while avoiding mention of US-based relatives unless absolutely necessary (rapidvisa.com,). The doctor’s case also highlights the importance of consistency between the DS-160 form and interview responses, as discrepancies can raise doubts (atlys.com,). For instance, her updated DS-160 reflecting her new job may have been scrutinized for inconsistencies with her earlier application.

Next Steps for the Applicant

The doctor can reapply for the visa, as a 214(b) denial is not permanent 

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