An Indian student has been denied a visa to the United States on the grounds that he did not have strong enough ties to his home country to ensure his return after studying abroad. The rejection has come despite the applicant, Kaushik Raj, making it clear that he was born and raised in India, with his entire family based here. The 27‑year‑old, who has worked as a journalist, had secured a $100,000 scholarship to pursue a graduate degree in journalism at Columbia University.

Kaushik Raj revealed in an interview with the Washington Post that he was transparent during the visa process, explaining his background and family connections in India. He now believes the decision may have been influenced by the mandatory review of his social media accounts undertaken by US officials. Although the rejection letter made no mention of social media activity, Raj suspects it may have played a role. He said he was not active on the platforms and avoided posting anything controversial, but his accounts contained links to stories he had worked on in his four years as a reporter.

What the Rejection Letter Said

The official letter sent by US authorities stated that Raj had failed to show that his intended activities matched the classification of the non‑immigrant visa he was applying for. The document explained that applicants must demonstrate they have a residence in a foreign country which they have no intention of abandoning. It mentioned that this requirement can be met by proving strong links to the home country such as family, work, education, or social connections.

“You have not demonstrated that you have the ties that will compel you to return to your home country after your travel to the United States,” the letter stated. The decision is final and cannot be appealed. However, the US government said he is free to reapply with a new application, appear for an interview, and present evidence of changed circumstances.

Raj underlined that his scholarship was a life‑changing opportunity and that he had no plans to settle in the US permanently. He expressed disappointment that his family connections and professional background were not accepted as proof of his intent to return.

Increased Vetting and Social Media Scrutiny

Over recent years, US visa processes have become more stringent, with applicants facing detailed questioning and document requirements. One addition has been the study of an applicant’s social media history, a step officials say helps assess security risks and intent of travel. While Raj’s case did not explicitly mention his online presence in the rejection, concerns about possible political or controversial engagement may still influence such decisions.

Immigration experts say that for student visas, US officials often focus heavily on whether the applicant has strong and unavoidable reasons to go back after completing studies. Applicants from countries with a high number of overstays face closer examination. Scholarships and academic admit letters sometimes do not outweigh perceived risks if officials believe the person may stay beyond the visa period.

Personal Impact and Future Plans

Following the rejection, Raj said he is considering his options, including reapplying or exploring study opportunities in other countries such as the United Kingdom or Australia. He expressed frustration at losing out on the scholarship opportunity, which had taken months of preparation and competitive selection.

He also voiced concern that such decisions may discourage genuine students and academics from applying to US universities, adding that rejections without clear reasons make it harder to prepare for future applications.

The US Embassy in New Delhi has not commented directly on the case, citing its policy of confidentiality on visa matters, but officials reiterated that student visa applicants must convincingly demonstrate strong ties to their home country and intent to return after their authorised stay.

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