An Indian businessman and his wife were denied US visas even though they had confirmed tickets to attend the FIFA World Cup, according to a social media post that has since gone viral.
The 26-year-old applicant, who described himself as the managing director of his company with an annual income of Rs 25 lakh, said he applied for a B1/B2 visitor visa under a FIFA-related category. He wrote that the consular interview lasted only a few minutes and ended in rejection.
In his account, the businessman said the interviewing officer spoke briefly with him but did not address his wife during the appointment. The couple’s applications were denied despite their travel plans and match tickets already being in place.
Recounting his interaction with the consular officer, the businessman said the first question he was asked concerned the purpose of his trip to the United States. He responded, “Our purpose is to watch FIFA World Cup since we have been allocated FIFA Pass by the US authorities and in addition to that we might visit New York.”
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He said the officer then inquired about his annual income and his previous international travel history. The applicant told the officer that he earns Rs 25 lakh per annum and that his only overseas trip so far had been to Oman.
In his post, the businessman said he was handed a refusal under Section 214(b), a common ground for US visa denials that applies when an officer is not convinced the applicant will return home after a temporary visit. The decision effectively ended the couple’s plans to attend the FIFA World Cup.
“He [officer] handed a 214(b) slip and told you you’re not eligible for this time. Officer didn’t even ask my wife,” he wrote on Reddit, reiterating that his spouse was not addressed during the interview.
As the post gained attention online, several users weighed in on possible reasons for the outcome. Some pointed to his limited international travel history as a potential factor.
“Tough chance with reapplying. Anything can happen, though. Sell the ticket and recoup your Visa fees!! Best outcome,” one user wrote.
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Another commented, “Having a good travel history is important before applying for a US visa. They want to see that you travel for pleasure and come back to your home country.”
A third user suggested that profile factors may have worked against the couple. “Young couple, no travel history. Ten years ago you would’ve been approved but in the last decade people with your exact background have abused the US immigration system. So now with that background, it is an easy reject from their end.”
Echoing similar sentiments, a fourth added: “Probably the refusal under 214B was due to weak ties and Limited, travel history and not for the FIFA purpose itself.”