Indian Man Denied US Visa in 40 Seconds After Honest Interview Response

NEW DELHI, India — An Indian man experienced a disheartening end to his hopes of traveling to the United States when his visa application was rejected in just 40 seconds during an interview at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. The applicant, who uses the username ‘nobody01810’ on Reddit, shared his story online, seeking clarity on what went wrong during the visa interview.

During the brief encounter, the man was asked three questions related to his travel intentions, previous travel history, and any family or friends residing in the U.S. He expressed aspirations of visiting Florida for two weeks to enjoy attractions such as Disney World and Universal Studios. He noted he had no prior international travel experience but did have a girlfriend living in Florida.

Despite his straightforward answers, the consular officer swiftly dismissed the application, providing the applicant with a 214(b) refusal slip, which indicates a failure to establish strong ties to his home country. “The trip was meant to be purely tourism-focused,” the applicant explained in his Reddit post, questioning how his honesty may have impacted the officer’s decision.

Fellow Reddit users quickly jumped into the discussion, diagnosing various factors that may have led to the rejection, including the applicant’s lack of travel history and the mention of his girlfriend in the U.S. “You have zero travel history, especially to Western countries. Plus, a girlfriend in the States? That’s a strong tie to the US,” one commenter pointed out.

Another user noted, “The moment you mention a relationship with a U.S. citizen or resident, it often triggers an instant rejection.” Many commenters offered advice on how the applicant could strengthen his case for a future application. Suggestions included building a travel history by visiting countries other than India, owning property, or having his girlfriend visit him in India first.

The discourse on Reddit highlighted the precarious balance between being honest and the potential consequences in visa applications. “Shouldn’t have mentioned about you having your GF there! That’s a big no,” one user advised, underscoring the complexities of the U.S. visa process.

As of now, there has been no official statement from the U.S. embassy regarding this specific incident. The young man’s experience serves as a cautionary tale for others navigating the intricacies of international travel and visa applications.