Dr Rajesh Vyas, an Indian-origin former US diplomat, has revealed that he faced rejection for US visa applications not once but twice in 1984. In a YouTube video, the former envoy recounted his desire to visit Los Angeles that year to witness the Olympics, as he had been invited by friends. Dr Vyas emphasized that he came from a well-to-do family, with his father being a top doctor in Ahmedabad and his mother a nurse, and he had no intention of settling in the US—he only wanted to visit. At that time, his parents had never traveled abroad.
The 1984 Visa Application Process
In 1984, there were no appointment slots for visa applications; people simply lined up outside the US consulate in Mumbai. Dr Vyas had two backing documents due to his father's connections: one from a top Indian company and another from the vice president of a large US company. However, these documents proved to be more harmful than helpful. The visa officer noted that Vyas had strong connections in the US and was a single, unmarried doctor. The officer rejected the visa, stating he did not believe Vyas would return to India.
Second Attempt and Rejection
Dr Vyas recounted that his father's friend, the owner of a prominent Indian company, did everything possible to secure a visa for him. He was made to go to the consulate again. At that time, the embassy did not allow reapplication for five days, but due to the recommendation letters, Vyas was permitted to reapply. Unfortunately, the same visa officer handled his second application. The officer asked if he had brought any additional documents, and since he had not, his application was rejected once more.
Changing Paths and Eventual Success
After the rejections, Dr Vyas forgot about the US and traveled to Europe and Asia while starting his medical practice in Ahmedabad. His practice was successful, but the monotony of daily routine bored him and motivated him to explore medical education in the US. At the age of 35, in 1993, he applied for a US visa again. This time, he also had his British-Indian wife's passport. Vyas honestly marked 'yes' on the question about previous visa rejections. He told the visa officer that he wanted to take exams in the US—if he failed, he would return to India, but if he passed, he would apply for residency and an H-1B or J visa. He was granted a 10-year multiple-entry visa.
New Journey in the US
In 1993, Dr Vyas finally landed in Miami for the first time. This marked the beginning of a new journey that eventually led him to the US Foreign Service after he became a citizen. Dr Vyas joined the US Foreign Service as a Regional Medical Officer in 2006 and retired in December 2020. His assignments included MED Washington DC, and US Embassies in India, Japan, Bosnia, the Philippines, and Pakistan. He also served temporary duty in Chad, Mauritania, Gabon, China, Korea, Uzbekistan, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, India, Madagascar, Russia, Vietnam, Armenia, and Mongolia.
