(DELHI, INDIA) A 28-year-old senior manager from Delhi moved from rejection to approval on a U.S. B1/B2 visa after reworking his interview strategy, offering a clear roadmap for others facing denials under Section 214(b). His account, shared on Reddit, shows how shorter answers, stronger tie evidence, and alignment with the DS-160 application can shift a case. He says his first interview in March ended quickly with a 214(b) refusal, but his second attempt ended with the officer saying, “Congratulations, your visa is approved!”
The first refusal hinged on a common point: the officer doubted his temporary travel intent or his ties to India. Afterward, he reviewed what he said, tightened his responses, and focused on the first question—his trip’s purpose. On the second try, he answered in one line: “I am invited to attend a workshop to provide training and a software demo.” He added his title, “Senior Manager,” briefly described his responsibilities, mentioned recent trips to Singapore and Thailand, and noted a recent promotion. He didn’t offer documents unless asked, but signaled he had them.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this approach mirrors best practices for overcoming Section 214(b) concerns: keep answers clear, consistent, and centered on nonimmigrant intent.
What changed in the second attempt
The applicant highlighted several shifts that made the difference:
- Short, direct purpose statement tied to business and training
- Clear job description with seniority noted, without long stories
- Recent international travel that showed a pattern of returning home
- A promotion and higher salary that grounded him in India
- Willingness to show documents if requested
He stressed that the first question is the most important. If an applicant fumbles, over-explains, or drifts from the DS-160, the officer may doubt the story. His advice: be brief, be consistent, and answer only what’s asked.
Why Section 214(b) trips many applicants
A Section 214(b) refusal means the officer isn’t convinced the person will return after a short stay. In plain terms, the law presumes most temporary visa applicants are intending immigrants unless they prove otherwise. For a U.S. B1/B2 visa, the core test is whether the case shows a clear, temporary purpose and strong ties to the home country.
Officers look for signs of rootedness:
- Steady work and career growth
- Family in the home country
- Property or long-term financial plans
- A travel pattern showing timely returns
Vague answers, mismatched details, or long explanations can hurt. Short, truthful replies help the officer map answers to the record and spot consistency fast.
U.S. officials say the visitor visa is for short stays for business or tourism, not for work or long-term study. The government’s guide on visitor visas explains these limits and the kinds of proof that can help during an interview. Readers can review the official overview at the U.S. Department of State Visitor Visa guidance.
In this Delhi case, the applicant’s second interview presented a steady profile: a defined business purpose, senior job responsibilities, recent travel with returns, and a promotion that tied him to India. That combination, backed by a consistent DS-160, addressed the officer’s earlier doubts.
Key takeaway: Treat the first question as the keystone — clear purpose + strong ties + consistent filing = higher chance of approval.
Practical steps from his experience
These steps echo standard interview advice and are directly drawn from the applicant’s strategy:
- Speak for yourself; don’t rely on memorized scripts.
- Answer only what’s asked, in one or two lines.
- Keep your story aligned with the
DS-160. - Be ready to show proof if the officer asks.
Practical guidance for a stronger re-application
For those who received a 214(b) refusal and are planning a second interview, the Delhi applicant’s approach offers a workable plan:
- Clarify purpose of travel
- Business: state the event, your role, and why your presence matters
- Tourism: state the cities, main sights, and trip length
- Keep it brief and concrete. Avoid long background stories.
- Tighten your professional profile
- Bring a fresh employment letter confirming title, salary, start date, and approved leave
- Highlight recent promotion or raise clearly
- Explain how the trip fits your work, without suggesting any work in the United States
- Show strong ties to your home country
- Work: steady role, growth, and return date
- Family: immediate family living in India
- Assets: property or long-term financial commitments, if relevant
- Explain these only if asked, but be ready
- Align every answer with your filing
- Ensure your
DS-160is accurate - If something changed since filing, be ready to explain the update simply
- Ensure your
- Prepare documents, but don’t volunteer them
- Carry invitation letter, travel plans, employer letter, and financial proof
- Offer documents only if requested
- Practice speaking clearly
- Keep answers short. Avoid jargon.
- If you don’t know, say so. Guessing can harm credibility.
Remember, the DS-160 is the backbone of the interview. If you haven’t filed yet or need to file a new application, the official form is online at Form DS-160 – Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application. Ensure names, travel dates, job details, and prior travel entries are accurate. If asked about a previous Section 214(b) refusal, state the date and place, then focus on what’s changed since.
Additional notes on prior travel and evidence
- Prior travel is not required, but a record of timely returns supports your case.
- Career growth (promotion, raise, new responsibilities) can similarly strengthen the picture of ties at home.
- For business trips, carry an invitation that lists dates, location, and your role. State the visit is short.
- For tourism, present a simple plan (e.g., “five days in New York and Washington, then home”) and have proof of employer-approved leave if requested.
The Delhi case is a reminder that tone matters. The applicant avoided long answers and didn’t argue the prior refusal. He focused on what the officer needed: clear purpose, strong ties, and a consistent record. By treating the first question as the keystone, he turned a rejection to approval within months.
Warning: Each case stands on its own. There is no script that guarantees success. A calm, concise approach centered on nonimmigrant intent, however, gives the officer a clean record to approve.
For official policy details on activities allowed under a U.S. B1/B2 visa and interview expectations, review the State Department’s guidance linked above.
This Article in a Nutshell
A 28-year-old senior manager in Delhi converted a Section 214(b) B1/B2 visa refusal into an approval by refining his interview technique. After an initial quick denial, he focused on giving a concise purpose statement—attending a workshop to provide training and a software demo—while briefly stating his senior role, responsibilities, recent promotion, and international travel history to Singapore and Thailand. He aligned responses with his DS-160 and prepared documents but presented them only if asked. VisaVerge analysis notes this mirrors best practices: short, consistent answers focused on nonimmigrant intent. The key takeaway: treat the first question as critical and answer briefly and truthfully to show strong ties to your home country.
