The founder of an Indian startup put it bluntly: his US visa was a no-go for “not enough ties to home country”. It’s a sign of the more rigid gatekeeping that could put the brakes on cross-border trips for some. Even with $12 million in annual recurring revenue and 30-odd crore in the bank, his B-1/B-2 application didn’t make the cut under 214(b).
Srivastav, who co-founded Noida’s Kidbea, walked out of the consulate with a slip in hand saying he was rejected. He intends to put in another application and has put out a call to other founders who have been in his shoes to let him in on what works.
Kidbea has come a long way since 2021. What was once a small venture is now a go-to kidswear brand for families across the country. Put simply, the numbers are there: over $12 million in ARR, a staff of 100 or so, and for Srivastav, a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list among other honours.
Some numbers to put things in perspective:
– Kidbea is sitting on $12 million in annual recurring revenue
– They’ve put in over 30 crore from a Series A
– There are 100+ staff in India
– The B-1/B-2 fee is $185 (with the new fast-track option at $750)
– The goal of the pilot is to get you in within 10 working days
He made his case on social media: if you have a Series A firm with top-tier backers and a hundred employees, that should count as a solid connection to India. But he knows rejection is part of the game. He will have another go at it and is open to tips from anyone who has made it through after being told no.
Section 214(b): what ‘ties’ really mean
Then there is 214(b). This is the clause under which most US visitor visas are denied. The onus is on you to show you don’t plan to stay. You need to put forward something to make them believe you will return – be it family, a house, a job, or money matters back home.
Srivastav says he put it all on the table: his family, his property, the running of his business, the payroll, the tax returns, even his cultural background. The consular officer wasn’t having any of it. For Indians, these interviews can be a quick and hard-nosed affair, and with the volume they see, you have to be very clear and have your evidence in order in a matter of minutes.
He is not alone. Lately, you hear this story from a number of Indian founders and high-level pros, all with the same 214(b) stamp on their file. They say the officers care more about whether you can prove you’ll come back than how well you do in your line of work. They want to see something you can put in front of them right now.
A system in flux: screenings and delays
In a word, things have been getting tighter. There’s been a shift in how social media is vetted for some visa types as of late 2025. H-1B and H-4 holders, for instance, have to put their handles on the table so an officer can have a look for anything amiss. B-1/B-2 isn’t always put through the same ringer, but if you ask an immigration lawyer, they’ll tell you the mood has become more of a “better safe than sorry” one. And at US consulates in India, you’re likely to find longer lines and more in-depth reviews.
Fast-track pilot and its limits
The State Department is looking to clear up some of these hold-ups with a new scheme starting July 1, 2026. For a $750 on top of the usual $185, you can be in line for an earlier interview. It will be a trial run at a few select locations to begin with.
You might be able to get in front of an officer in 10 business days if you qualify, which is a godsend when you have a conference or meeting to make. But don’t let that fool you: the rules for saying no haven’t changed. A 214(b) is still a 214(b), and it all comes down to what you can prove.
Srivastav was there when a family with a solid record of travelling to places like Europe and Japan got turned down. He’s not alone in seeing this; many say the officers want to see hard proof you’re coming back-property, family, a very specific reason for being there.
His post struck a nerve. You have people in the comments talking about a string of rejections before they finally made it, or advising you to have your event registration in hand. One person put it bluntly: the officer is sizing up whether you’ll return, not how well your business is doing. “I have a company and my family here in India,” Srivastav said. “I’m not going anywhere.”
What it means for Indian startups
Tracxn puts Kidbea’s value at 137 crore. When you’re a consumer brand on the rise in India, a quick trip to the US for some face time can be worth it. A 214(b) refusal makes for a messy situation, and you have to be on top of your paperwork.
Srivastav is going to try again. In the meantime, for most in India, it’s a matter of biding your time in a longer queue and being ready for a closer look. The fast-track might cut down the wait, but in the end, it’s how you make your case for your ties to home that will decide the outcome.
