Navigating the renewal of a ten-year US visitor visa can be trickier than it seems, even for those who have never overstayed. Just ask one Indian family, who has faced the frustrating experience of having the brother’s visa renewal denied not once, but twice, without any clear explanation.
Over the past decade, he made four trips to the US, always adhering to the visa regulations and never overstaying his welcome. His last visit in 2019 was completely above board, lasting just over three months.
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Fast forward to 2023, when he decided to renew his visa through the dropbox process. Instead of a straightforward renewal, he was summoned for an interview and faced a denial under section 214(b), a common yet
ambiguous reason for refusal.
Undeterred, he tried again in September 2023. This time, he included aletter from a doctor detailing a family member’s urgent health crisis, along with a formal letter of support from a US Congressman. Unfortunately, the outcome was the same—another denial.
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During the interview, the consular officer probed into his lengthy stay in 2019 and questioned whether he had worked while in the US. He clarified that he operates his own property business remotely from India and does not work for any US employer.
This explanation seemed to raise red flags. The consular officers appeared to overlook the supporting documents and the humanitarian context of his situation.
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Meanwhile, other family members, including his parents, successfully renewed their visas in 2023 and are currently in the US, providing much-needed support.
His health has taken a turn for the worse, with a relapse and metastasis of cancer. New letters from prominent US medical institutions like Stanford and UC Davis have been submitted to bolster his case for a visit.
Now, the family is weighing their options. Should they pursuehumanitarian parole? Would seeking legal or civic dvocacy support be beneficial?
They are left with lingering questions: Does working remotely for an Indian business while on US soil lead visa officers to deny renewals? How can families in urgent situations break through these barriers, especially when they have clean travel records?
This situation highlights significant concerns for many who encounter visa hurdles despite following all the rules. Sharing experiences and advice could be invaluable for those in similar predicaments.
