B1/B2 visa news: A 26-year-old doctor from Mumbai has shared her ordeal on Reddit after her US B1/B2 visa application was rejected this week. The applicant, a first-year postgraduate resident who joined her program this year, said she was taken aback by the outcome despite a strong academic and travel background.
She revealed that she had taken a gap year in the past for NEET PG preparation but had since resumed her medical career. With a travel history spanning nearly 10 countries — including Schengen states like Italy, Austria, and Switzerland, as well as destinations such as Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Morocco, Indonesia, and Dubai — she said she was surprised by the rejection.
Visa Interview in Mumbai
During the visa interview, the officer greeted the applicant with a “Good morning,” to which she responded politely with a slight smile. When asked about the purpose of her travel to the US, she explained that it was for tourism, adding that her family takes an international vacation every two years and that they had not yet visited the US.
The officer then inquired about her travel history. She listed European countries first, followed by Southeast Asian nations and Dubai. On being asked how many times she had traveled to Europe, she replied, “Once.”
The officer further questioned whether she had any friends or family in the US. She mentioned her sister, who is currently a student in her second year at a university there. When asked about her own profession, she stated that she is a practicing doctor, specifying her specialization, with an annual income of Rs 8 lakh.
She also clarified that she planned to travel with her family, noting that both her parents already hold valid US B1/B2 visas. However, at the conclusion of the interview, the officer informed her, “Ma’am, you are ineligible for the visa currently.”
Applicant Reflects on What Went Wrong
The doctor said she had filled out two DS-160 forms — one earlier this year while on her gap year, where she mentioned preparing for exams, and another after securing her PG seat, where she updated her employment and income details.
“Basically, I am a PG student but I said doctor, not student,” she explained, adding that she also carried salary details, savings statements, and investments worth nearly ₹20 lakh annually. However, when asked about her income, she mentioned only ₹8 lakh.
“Should I have said 20 instead of 8? Should I not have mentioned travelling with family? Please let me know what I said wrong,” she asked in her Reddit post.
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