A recent post on social media highlights the growing challenges in obtaining B-1 visas to the United States. A 33-year-old engineering project manager from Mumbai shared his experience of visa rejection despite having a valid purpose and full documentation for his business visit.
The applicant, with over 12 years of experience, was invited by his U.S.-based company for a one-week visit to conduct technical training on cloud technologies like AWS and GCP. His trip was fully sponsored, including an official invitation letter, hotel arrangements, and a clear agenda involving employee training and internal meetings.
During his early morning visa interview, he explained that his visit aimed to facilitate a knowledge transfer as part of ongoing initiatives within the company. He further gave details on the training topics and client interactions lined up. However, the visa officer quickly ended the conversation, saying, “Sorry, not acceptable now,” and denied the visa.
Following the post, several Reddit users speculated on the reasons behind the rejection. Many pointed out that mentioning “client visits” and “training” may be interpreted as engaging in work, which the B-1 visa does not permit. Others emphasized that such activities often require a work visa, such as H-1B or L1, and that invitation letters rarely influence the officer’s decision.
This case serves as a reminder that even well-qualified applicants with clear intentions can face denials if their purpose appears to cross into employment territory, which is not allowed under a B-1 visa.
What is a B-1/B-2 visa?
The B-1 visa is meant for short-term business trips, while the B-2 is for tourism. The combined B-1/B-2 visa allows both activities but strictly excludes gainful employment.
