‘Planned to watch FIFA World Cup’: Indian MD and wife denied US visa despite earning Rs 25 LPA

Indian MD earning Rs 25 LPA gets rejected for US visa. (AI-generated representative image)

Many football fans dream of travelling abroad to watch the world’s biggest tournament live from the stands. For some, securing match tickets feels like the hardest part of the journey. However, for one 26-year-old Indian Managing Director, the challenge came later.

Despite holding confirmed tickets for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and earning Rs 25 LPA, he revealed that his US visitor visa was refused during a brief interview. The professional shared his experience on Reddit, stating that he and his wife were handed refusal slips within minutes, leading to widespread discussion online.

While explaining the background of his application, he introduced himself and outlined why they had applied for the visa, “I (26M) and my wife (25F) from India. I am the Managing Director of our (company). My wife and I are planning to watch the FIFA World Cup, and we got 2 tickets too. For that reason, we had applied B1/B2 visa under FIFA PASS. I will tell you how the conversation went.”

The couple had applied for a B1/B2 visitor visa after receiving match tickets and registering under the FIFA Pass process. The FIFA Pass is described as a voluntary, opt-in system that allows World Cup 2026 ticket holders travelling to the United States to request an expedited visa interview, if required. It does not guarantee approval.

Recalling the questions asked during the interview, he said the officer focused first on the reason for travel and their intended plans in the US. He shared how he responded, “Our purpose is to watch the FIFA World Cup since we have been allocated FIFA Pass by the US authorities and in addition to that, we might visit New York.”

He further noted that the discussion then shifted to his professional background and overseas travel history. After answering those queries, he described what happened next.

According to his account, shortly after he mentioned his Rs 25 LPA salary and his single trip to Oman, the officer issued a refusal under Section 214(b) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act. He said he was informed that he was not eligible to travel to the United States at this time.

Pointing out how brief the exchange was, he added, “The officer didn't even ask my wife.”

The Reddit post led to a range of responses, with some users questioning whether the circumstances of the application may have raised concerns.

One commenter suggested that the timing of the ticket purchase could have appeared strategic. The user wrote, “It seems like you got World Cup tickets simply to get an earlier appointment. Which match were you going to see?”

Another participant pointed towards his limited international travel record as a possible factor, “I am guessing it's because of your limited travel history. If you had visited multiple countries and returned back home and not overstayed your visa anywhere, then it gives them a stronger reason to believe that your purpose of visit to the USA is genuine and that you won't violate any conditions of the B1/B2 visa.”

US VISA REJECTED B1/B2 for FIFA WORLDCUP(Using FIFA PASS) by u/Own_Cow8633 in usvisascheduling

A further user focused on how interview responses are framed, stressing the importance of certainty when describing travel plans. The advice read, “Never use ambiguous statements like ‘maybe’, ‘might.’ Always share confirmed plans: 'I am going to watch the game on x/y in Boston, and then we will stay 2 days in New York, and I have made the reservations for the stay in New York'. Do not share tentative plans of visiting friends and relatives. I have seen a person getting rejected in front of me, just for sharing tentative plans”

Another user shifted the focus to the long-term consequences of a refusal and advised caution before making any fresh application. The comment read, “Forget about what went wrong and the FIFA tournament. Here is the most important issue. You now have a rejection on your record by the US Consulate. Any steps you take from now on should be to prevent or reduce the possibility of getting a second rejection for a visa. That would severely affect your prospects of visa for the US. Don’t apply for a visa again right away. Keep the probability of getting rejected again to zero by not applying. Wait for a few years, let the political climate change a bit before taking a chance again. You have a lot to lose. Attendance at a football game in some stadium is not worth ruining your immigration record completely.”

Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content shared on social media. Moneycontrol has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.