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Indian CEO Denied US Visa Over ‘Weak Ties,’ Says “Teach Your Consulate Teams Better”

Delhi entrepreneur Jasveer Singh, founder of Knot Dating, was denied a US visa under Section 214(b) citing “weak ties to India,” despite building his career and business in the country for 13 years. His viral post has sparked a wider debate on transparency and fairness in US visa decisions for Indian professionals.

by Mahi Adlakha
Indian CEO Denied US Visa Over ‘Weak Ties,’ Says “Teach Your Consulate Teams Better”

Jasveer Singh didn’t expect his biggest travel hurdle this year to come from a single line on a visa refusal slip. The Delhi-based entrepreneur, who runs Knot Dating, said he was denied a US visa under Section 214(b) of America’s Immigration and Nationality Act, a clause used when consular officers believe an applicant has not shown strong enough reasons to return home.

US Visa Denied Under Section 214(b): “Weak Ties To India” Cited

The reason stamped on his rejection: “weak ties to India.” Jasveer Singh’s frustration, shared publicly on X, wasn’t just about missing a trip, it was about what the decision seemed to imply.

“US visa denied under 214(b). Reason was quoted “weak ties to India,” he wrote, posting a copy of the denial letter.

For Jasveer Singh, the explanation felt almost absurd. He has spent the last 13 years building his life and work entirely in India. He runs a company here, employs people here, and pays taxes here, the kind of roots that would normally be considered the opposite of “weak.”

“Irony, I run a company in India, employ people in India, pay taxes in India and have built everything here over the last 13 years. Apparently that is not enough proof that I’ll return to India,” he said.

Also Read: Thailand Tops List Of Most-Preferred Visa-Free Destinations For Indians; Full List Inside

Viral X Post Sparks Outrage Among Indian Professionals

His post quickly struck a chord online, drawing reactions from other professionals and entrepreneurs who said visa decisions can often feel unpredictable, even detached from the reality of applicants’ lives.

Jasveer Singh didn’t stop at venting. He openly questioned the yardstick being used by the US consulate in New Delhi, suggesting something deeper was broken in the evaluation process.

Tagging Sergio Gor, the US Ambassador to India, Jasveer Singh wrote: “If this is your bar, either your definition of intent is broken or your evaluation process needs serious review. Train your New Delhi consulate teams better.”

What added another layer to the discussion was Singh’s remark about social media scrutiny. He claimed visa officers now reportedly look at applicants’ online activity, and joked that a friend had suggested deleting tweets critical of the US or its NRI discourse before appearing for an interview.

“A friend said next time just delete your tweets on the US and NRIs before the interview and your visa gets approved,” he wrote.

Here’s How People Reacted: Viral X Post US Visa Denial

Singh’s case is not an isolated one. In recent weeks, several Indian entrepreneurs have spoken about unexpected visa refusals, particularly as the Donald Trump administration has renewed its crackdown on illegal immigration.

Commenters expressed their own frustration under Jasveer Singh’s post, saying, “That’s just ridiculous. if running a business, employing people, and paying taxes here for 13yrs counts as weak ties, then the system is clearly out of touch.

and wow tweet point.” 

Someone else had questioned with remarkable firmness, “This isn’t a denial story. It’s a perception story about how India is viewed abroad. This needs to be discussed.” 

Another went on to say that, “A rejected visa of USA could prove to be a blessing in disguise, especially when so much brutality is planned for all the Indian origin people present in the USA going forward.”

Just last week, Bengaluru-based entrepreneur Dhananjay Yadav also expressed bewilderment after his US visa was rejected despite having previously studied in the United States and insisting he had no intention of staying back.

Also Read: 12 Visa-Free Countries Saudi Citizens Should Visit Now Before Everyone Else Does

Together, these accounts have fuelled a wider conversation about transparency, consistency, and perception, especially for Indian professionals who believe their careers, finances, and businesses should count as strong evidence of intent to return, not the other way around.

Cover Image Courtesy: jasveer10/X

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First Published: February 10, 2026 6:23 PM