Indian Travelers Denied US Visas for Lack of Domestic Travel

As of September 26th, 2025, a growing number of Indian travelers are expressing their disappointment on social media over the rejection of their US tourist visa applications, even when they meet all the financial and professional requirements. This issue has sparked a wider conversation about visa transparency and perceived biases in the approval process for Indian applicants.

One such case went viral after an Instagram vlogger, Jay, shared a video featuring a man who recounted a surprising incident involving his friend's visa application. According to the man, his friend's US tourist visa was denied simply because he admitted he had never traveled outside of Delhi. The visa officer reportedly told him to "see your own country first" before applying to visit the United States. The man speaking in the video said he himself had visited 29 Indian states, hinting at how an applicant's travel history within India might be informally considered during visa interviews.

This incident has led to a broader discussion online about the perceived lack of transparency in the US visa approval process for Indian applicants. Some users have commented that the visa officer's advice to "see your own country first" is reasonable, while others have shared their own experiences of extensive domestic travel within India before visiting other countries.