US tourist visa: An Indian customs officer and his wife were denied a US tourist visa in just three minutes during their interview at the US Embassy in Delhi. The visa officer asked them about the purpose of their visit, the places they planned to see in the United States, their occupations, and their combined income before rejecting the application.
The 40-year-old officer, who has a steady government job, owns a house, and holds savings and investments worth Rs 50 lakh, said he was surprised by the decision. He said that he has “strong ties with India” and has previously travelled to Dubai and Thailand, with Japan next on his travel list.
“The whole thing lasted around 3 minutes. No questions were asked about my finances, property, etc. I carried all necessary documents to support my claims, but nothing was asked or sought at all,” he mentioned in a post on Reddit.
‘US B1/B2 visa rejected’
The customs officer even shared a transcript of the visa interview on Reddit.
VO – Can I have your passports, please?
Me – Sure (Handed over both passports to VO through the window opening)
VO – Scanned barcodes on passports
Me – Stood firm looking at him (He didn’t look at us)
VO – What is the purpose of your visit?
Me – Tourism
VO – Looking at the computer screen, started typing. Didn’t look at us
VO – Where do you want to visit in the US? (looked at me for a second)
Me – We have planned to visit New York and Las Vegas. We will land in NY and take a flight back home from San Francisco (I said that my mistake). Later, I said sorry, not SFO, will fly back from LAX.
VO – Started looking at the screen, a little bit of typing… more screen time.
VO – For how long will you be visiting?
Me – For 2 weeks
VO – More screen. More typing.
VO – What do you do for a living?
Me – I am a Customs officer, Government of India.
VO – Screen and more typing.
VO – What is your profession? (to my wife)
Wife – I am working as a kindergarten teacher.
VO – How much do you both earn in a year?
Me – Both combined, Rs 20 lakh approx.
VO – How long have you been a Customs officer?
Me – 2 years
VO – Screen. Typing.
VO – Do you have any relatives in the US?
Me – No, I don’t
He then asked them to put their fingers on the scanner.
VO – Unfortunately, we cannot issue you a visa this time. Thanks (handed me passports and a slip with usual Section 214(B) details).
‘Saved around 80 lakh’
The customs officer noted that the only downside of the rejection was that their passports now carry a negative remark in the system. However, he also expressed relief, saying the denial saved them nearly Rs 80 lakh in travel expenses. Instead, the couple now plans to visit Japan in January next year, followed by a trip to Ireland in the summer. “And still save some money left!” he added.
He expressed, “But it’s heartbreaking not to be granted a US tourist visa despite being a genuine tourist.”
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