An elderly Telugu father’s B1/B2 visitor visa interview in New Delhi ended in disappointment, stopping him from meeting his children in the US. The incident has raised concerns, with a possible language barrier seen as a key reason behind the visa rejection.
The man’s son, who works in the US on an H-1B visa, shared the experience online. He said his Telugu-speaking father and 75-year-old grandmother were denied visas despite requesting a Telugu interpreter multiple times before the interview.
The applicants from Andhra Pradesh attended their visa interview on April 21. According to the post, both individuals speak only Telugu. However, the interview was conducted in English, as no translator was provided at the time.
During the interaction, the father reportedly understood only the word “daughter”. He responded in Telugu, explaining that his daughter works in Chicago as a software engineer. The interview ended quickly, without any review of supporting documents.
The son further explained that his father is a farmer based in India and lives with his elderly grandmother. He also mentioned that his sister is currently in the US on OPT after completing her master’s degree.
The exact reason for the visa refusal remains unclear. However, the situation has sparked debate about whether language barriers can affect outcomes in visitor visa interviews, especially for elderly applicants unfamiliar with English.
Some users argued that a translator may not have changed the result. They believe the decision is often influenced by the DS-160 form, which plays a major role in the evaluation process, sometimes even more than the in-person interview.
Amid the discussion, the emotional impact remains clear. A father and grandmother from Andhra Pradesh lost the chance to visit their children in the US. The incident reflects the challenges many face within a strict immigration system.
