‘Just 3 questions': Indian man's US visa denied in 40 seconds - his post goes viral

Gulf News

18-04-2025

An Indian man's dream vacation to Florida ended before takeoff after his US tourist visa was denied during a 40-second interview — a story that has since gone viral, according to media reports.
The applicant, identified on Reddit as nobody01810, shared his experience online after being handed a Section 214(b) refusal by the US embassy. This clause of the US Immigration and Nationality Act is typically invoked when an applicant fails to demonstrate strong ties to their home country — a key requirement for obtaining a nonimmigrant visa.
In his Reddit post, the man explained that he had applied for a B1/B2 visa for a two-week vacation in Florida. His plans included visiting Disney World, Universal Studios, the Kennedy Space Center, and meeting his girlfriend, who resides in the US.
Just three questions
According to the applicant, the consular officer asked only three questions during the brief interview:
Why do you want to travel to the US?
Have you travelled outside India before?
Do you have any family or friends in the US?
He answered honestly — admitting he had never travelled internationally and that his girlfriend lived in the US. Nonetheless, the officer promptly denied the visa and issued a 214(b) refusal slip.
'Textbook Denial'
The applicant's post quickly drew widespread attention on Reddit, sparking debate about the unpredictable nature of US tourist visa decisions, especially for first-time travellers.
Many users labeled his case a 'textbook denial.' One commented, "You have zero travel history, especially to Western countries. Plus, a girlfriend in the States? That's a strong tie to the US."
Another wrote, "Even if you don't plan to stay, mentioning a girlfriend makes it appear that you might. To the embassy, that's a red flag."
A third user noted, "It's hard to prove intent to return when your application lacks a travel history and includes a romantic connection in the US."
Transparency may have backfired
Some Redditors pointed out inconsistencies in how the applicant described his purpose of travel. One observed, "You didn't mention your girlfriend initially but brought her up later. That inconsistency may have contributed to the denial."
Several users suggested that before reapplying, the man should:
Visit countries in Europe or Southeast Asia to build a travel history
Demonstrate stronger ties to India, such as property ownership, long-term employment, or family responsibilities
Visa interview backlogs add to applicant woes
Media reports also note that since mid-March, the availability of visa interview appointments has drastically declined, complicating the process further for applicants and consultants alike.
Under US immigration law, applicants denied under Section 214(b) can reapply if they can present new evidence addressing the concerns behind the refusal. However, without a significant change in circumstances, experts say a second denial is likely.
The incident highlights the challenges many first-time international travellers face — where even honesty and good intentions may not be enough to secure a visa.