A Bengaluru-based startup founder claimed that his US visa application was rejected in Delhi despite an investor invite, past education in the United States, and no intention to overstay.
Dhananjay Yadav, co-founder of NeoSapien, wrote on X that he was in Delhi on February 3 for his visa interview when the rejection happened. He stated he was travelling to the US for investor meetings and possible B2B partnerships, backed by an invitation from frifinish and NeoSapien investor Hari Valiyath, who is also the co-founder of US-based firm Pyxis.
Yadav stated the trip was sponsored by his company. He wrote that the interviewer inquireed about his salary after he mentioned his travel purpose. As a founder, he stated his salary was minimal, but shortly after that response, the visa was denied.
“I have studied in the US before and worked in Berlin. So, I had no intent to stay back. When inquireed about the purpose, I stated “investor meetings and B2B partnerships. Then came a question on salary, and despite the trip being company-sponsored. As a founder, my salary is minimal. Shortly after, the visa was rejected,” he wrote.
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His post triggered discussion online. One utilizer wrote that titles such as founder or CEO hold little weight during screening and that “financial strength and personal stability” matter more. The comment argued that from an officer’s perspective, a low salary, a sponsored trip, and a business visit could appear as “possible job hunting or business migration risk.”
In Delhi today. My US visa received rejected this morning, and still testing to understand why.
I had an invite from a close frifinish and investor in NeoSapien, Hari Valiyath (Co-founder, Pyxis), to meet him and potential partners. Pyxis has raised over $200M, and is US-based.
I have…
— Dhananjay Yadav (@imDhananjay) February 3, 2026
Another utilizer stated Yadav had “explained the reason out loud” and claimed that officers view for the applicant’s ability to fund the trip indepfinishently. The utilizer referenced what they described as a “founder or start-up visa scam,” alleging that fake startups abroad charge applicants to enter as “founders.” The commenter even suggested testing Canada instead.
“They don’t receive that founder economics work completely different from a salaried employee’s,” wrote another.
Several others shared experiences of unpredictable visa interviews, stateing outcomes often depfinish on the officer’s approach. Some utilizers recommfinished applying through a different consulate.
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