A Reddit post highlighting repeated US visa rejections for an Indian-origin family has triggered online debate over the challenges of securing a visitor visa despite multiple attempts and improved documentation.
The user shared that their parents were denied a US B1/B2 tourist visa four times over a span of nearly nine years.
“What are we doing wrong? Is there any hope left?” the user wrote, expressing frustration over the prolonged struggle to bring their parents to the United States for a short visit.
According to the post, the first two applications were filed in 2017 for attending a family wedding, both of which were rejected. A third attempt in 2018, planned around the user’s graduation, was also denied.
After waiting several years, the family reapplied in 2026 for tourism and a family visit, but faced another rejection.
All refusals were issued under Section 214(b), a common provision used when visa officers are not convinced that applicants will return to their home country.
The user said the long gap before reapplying was intentional, as the parents worked to strengthen their profile. They built travel history by visiting countries like Canada, Singapore, and Malaysia and aimed to address potential concerns.
However, during the latest interview, the process was reportedly brief. The officer asked only two questions before issuing the refusal, without discussing finances, employment, or family ties in detail.
The parents’ background includes a father who runs a construction business linked to government projects and a homemaker mother.
The family also has strong ties in India, including an elderly dependent and another son living there. They are financially stable and planned to fund the trip themselves.
Despite this, the user believes their US-based family connections may be influencing the outcome. The user has been living in the US since 2016, is now married, and settled there. Additionally, the father has a sibling who is a US green card holder.
The post reflects growing frustration among applicants who feel that even stronger documentation and long waiting periods may not significantly improve their chances, as decisions appear to be made quickly without detailed evaluation.