A Reddit user has detailed the rejection of a B-2 tourist visa for his family—including himself, his wife, and their 1-year-old son—at the US Consulate in Chennai on September 22, 2025. The visa was denied under Section 214(b), despite the family having stable IT jobs, a good combined income, home ownership, and strong family ties in India. The applicant, sharing his experience on Reddit, expressed disappointment and sought advice on how to improve their chances in future applications.
First-Time Travel and Interview Hiccups
The family had no prior international travel history. Their visit was planned to see the wife’s brother in Evansville, Indiana, who had recently faced health issues. However, the brother’s H-1B visa status was in limbo due to recent regulatory changes, which may have raised concerns for the consulate officer. During the interview, the officer asked about their purpose of travel and prior travel experience. “My wife’s pause and my panicked interjection made us seem unprepared and maybe not entirely truthful in front of the officer,” the Redditor said. Despite explaining that work commitments and family obligations had delayed travel, and that the visit was due to the brother’s health, the officer moved quickly through the questions and handed over the rejection slip.
Planning for a Stronger Reapplication
The Redditor plans to wait at least six months before reapplying and aims to build travel history by visiting another country like Dubai or Thailand. “When we reapply, we will change our narrative to a purely tourist visit and will also include my wife’s parents in the application to demonstrate stronger family ties to India,” he said. The post has sparked a wider discussion on Reddit about first-time travelers, highlighting the importance of preparation, clear explanations, and demonstrating strong home-country ties to overcome Section 214(b) challenges.
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