Delhi IT Lead Denied US B2 Visa with ₹20 Lakh Savings and Parents in Tow

(DELHI) A 36-year-old IT operations lead from Delhi and his elderly parents were refused US B2 Visa applications at the US Embassy in New Delhi, with the officer citing Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The denial, delivered after a short interview, came despite what the family believed were strong ties to India: steady jobs, property, and sizeable savings.

Their case highlights a common pain point for Indian travelers: refusals based on doubts about intent to return, often decided in minutes.

Case details

• The Delhi applicant earns about ₹15 lakh a year and reported more than ₹20 lakh in personal savings.
• His parents, both in their seventies and working as client managers in publishing, earn about ₹8 lakh and ₹7.5 lakh a year, respectively.
• Together, the family holds over ₹50 lakh in savings and owns property in India.
• They presented a two-week Christmas itinerary through New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, with hotel bookings confirmed.

During the interview, the son asked for a Hindi translator because his parents are not comfortable in English. Midway, the consular officer remarked, “You said your parents don’t know English, and your mother is speaking fine.” The interview ended soon after, and refusal slips were issued.

The applicant later said he was baffled that no one asked about their jobs, travel history, or finances—areas many applicants expect to discuss.

What Section 214(b) means

Under Section 214(b), consular officers must refuse a nonimmigrant visa if they are not convinced the applicant will return home after a short stay. For tourists, that means the officer did not accept the applicant’s ties—such as stable work, family duties, property, or other commitments—as strong enough to prove a clear reason to come back to India.

Important notes:

• As of September 2, 2025, no appeal process exists for these denials; applicants may only try again if they can show new or stronger evidence.
• The US Department of State explains 214(b) refusals and next steps at travel.state.gov.

A 214(b) refusal is not a lifetime bar. Applicants can reapply, but they must present new or stronger evidence to change the officer’s assessment.

Online reaction and the limits of savings

The applicant voiced his frustration on Reddit, noting that people he knows with ₹10 lakh in savings received approvals and asking, “How much more does one need?” Commenters responded bluntly: “20 lakh+ in savings is not impressive” and “The system isn’t really functioning with fairness or just treatment.”

These reactions underscore a wider truth: savings alone rarely decide a US B2 Visa outcome. Officers look at the whole picture, and the decision turns on trust in the applicant’s plan to return.

Policy context and embassy practice

• The legal burden is clear: every B visa applicant is presumed to have immigrant intent unless they persuade the officer otherwise.
• Decisions often happen in short interviews where officers weigh answers, body language, travel purpose, and ties.
• Applicants sometimes bring thick document files, but officers may not review documents in detail unless needed.
• Each case is unique: an elderly parent, a first-time traveler, or someone with a recent job change may raise questions that are hard to address fully in a few minutes.
• According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, refusals under Section 214(b) remain common for Indian tourist visas, even for applicants with steady jobs and large savings.

Practical steps after a 214(b) refusal

Applicants who plan to reapply should focus on demonstrating a clear, credible reason to return to India. Typical helpful actions include:

1. Show active, ongoing employment:
   • Submit leave letters with a clear return date.
2. Provide property and financial proof:
   • Property records and regular bank statements.
3. Prove family duties:
   • Evidence of caregiving responsibilities for elders or school-age children.
4. Demonstrate travel history:
   • Records of past international trips with timely returns.
5. Present a consistent itinerary:
   • A clean, sensible trip schedule and matching proof of funds.
6. Be clear about language needs:
   • If using a translator, state that up front and remain consistent in responses.

Additional tips:

• There is no fixed amount of savings that guarantees approval. Officers check whether funds match the trip’s length and costs and whether the source is stable and lawful.
• Groups traveling together (parents and adult children) are not automatically approved as a set. Each person must qualify individually. Doubts about one member can affect the whole group.
• Timing matters: reapplying quickly without any material change often leads to another 214(b) refusal. Wait until you can show stronger ties or changed circumstances—for example, a promotion, new property, or additional travel history.

Interview dynamics and common pitfalls

The Delhi family’s short interview illustrates how quickly context can be missed. Despite a packed Christmas itinerary across three US cities with confirmed hotels, officers judge intent first. A detailed schedule helps but does not replace strong ties at home.

Language inconsistency can raise concerns. If someone requests a translator and then answers in English, officers may view that as inconsistent—adding pressure in an already brief interview. That alone does not guarantee refusal, but it can influence the outcome.

How to reapply

• Complete a new nonimmigrant visa application on form DS-160.
• Pay the fresh fee and schedule another interview.
• The DS-160 is filed online; applicants can access it at CEAC – DS-160.

For more official guidance, review the State Department’s page on visa refusals here: US Department of State – Visa Denials.

Final takeaway

For this family, the path forward is a careful reapplication with strengthened evidence of work, property, and family duties in India. The law allows another chance—but the gate opens only when the consular officer is convinced the applicants will return home.