Illegal H-1B Rejection: Crackdown or Blunder?

Getting a visa refusal has become a common affair these days. But getting your H-1B renewal rejected under 214(b) is quite absurd, considering that refusal is only for tourist and student visas.

An Indian professional shared his experience of his third H-1B renewal on social media. While he admits, it has been 5 years since he visited India, it seems the visa officer made a bigger blunder by handing them 214 (b) rejection, which is handed usually for B-1/B-2 or F-1 visas when officers doubt your ties to your home country.

This is like a mistake by the visa officer, maybe because London sees fewer H1Bs than India. Or maybe the officer didn’t like that stamping was done outside India, even though that’s allowed.

Netizens are equally befuddled and advise the H-1B to talk to his company’s lawyers right away. They can file a query to get the refusal reviewed as these mistakes have been reversed before.

While there have been stricter restrictions for visa applicants recently, this absurd rejection will more likely get reversed or the H-1B will get a legit reason for refusal. It is best to be aware of the legalities involved with your visas and file a complaint whenever such mistakes happen.