Indian Engineer's US Visitor Visa Rejected During Career Break, Seeks Advice

A 27-year-old engineer from India recently shared his disappointment after his US visitor visa was rejected on January 24, 2025. He took to Reddit to explain his situation. The engineer, a former Senior Data Analyst, revealed that he quit his job in December 2024 and is set to start his MBA at the Indian School of Business in April this year. Wanting to make the most of his “career break,” he planned a vacation to the US in March 2025.  

(Representative Image) Indian Engineer's US Visitor Visa Rejected During Career Break

Interestingly, his parents and sister already hold US visas, but his application was denied under section 214(b). 

 

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Here’s what the consular officer asked him during the interview:  

- What is the purpose of the visit? Vacation. My sister lives in California.  

- What does your sister do? She is a housewife, and her husband works as an SDE.  

- How long will you stay? 2-3 weeks.  

- When does your B-school start? April 2025.  

- What was your salary? Between $1,700 and $2,000 per month.  

- What was your designation? Senior Data Analyst.  

- Have you traveled internationally before? Yes—UAE (2010), Spain (2017), and Singapore (2018).  

According to the US Department of State, a 214(b) visa rejection happens if you don’t meet the eligibility requirements for the visa category or fail to show strong ties to your home country, convincing the officer that you’ll return after your visit.  

The engineer argued that he had solid reasons to return to India. He had already paid ₹7 lakhs in fees for his MBA program and carried all the receipts as proof. Yet, his application was denied.  

Feeling upset, he turned to Reddit for advice on when to reapply. Fellow Redditors shared their insights and theories about why his visa was rejected.  

One user pointed out a possible issue: “You gave a contradictory answer. You should’ve just said ‘vacation.’ Mentioning your sister might’ve made the officer think you plan to stay longer with family.”  

Another empathized: “This is so disappointing. It might just be bad timing. The officer could’ve been cautious because of your sister’s situation or maybe they were strict that day.”  

Some offered suggestions: “Apply again once you’re in B-school. That’ll show you have a strong reason to return.”  

Others noted that mentioning a “career break” might have raised red flags. “A stable job in India reassures them you’ll come back. Maybe try applying with your family next time—it supports the idea of a vacation.”  

Although the rejection was a setback, Redditors encouraged him not to lose hope and to consider reapplying with a different approach. Sometimes, the process is as much about timing as it is about preparation!