An Indian entrepreneur, identified as Swapnil Srivastav, who built a venture-backed startup employing more than 100 people says he was denied a US tourist visa because officials believed he did not have sufficient ties to India.Swapnil Srivastav, co-founder of a bamboo-based kidswear brand, shared his experience on social media, sparking a wider discussion about why some Indian founders are struggling to secure US visas despite running established businesses in the country.ALSO READ: Italian proverb of the day: 'Love is blind, but marriage...' What this wise saying teaches about expectations, commitment and emotional maturityFounder Says Startup Success Wasn't EnoughIn a post that quickly gained attention online, Srivastav revealed that his US visa application had been rejected.“Got denied a US visa today.Reason: ‘Not enough ties to home country.’I built a Series A company from scratch, employ 100+ people, have backing from top VCs and investors, and serve millions of Indian families through our brand.Apparently, that’s not enough ties.Anyway, founders are used to hearing ‘no.’Will reapply after some time.If you’ve been through this and eventually got approved, would love to hear your suggestions.”The entrepreneur said he was applying for a tourist visa and was surprised that his professional commitments were not considered strong enough evidence that he would return to India.— theswapnilsri (@theswapnilsri) ‘I Have Plenty of Reasons to Come Back’After sharing his experience, Srivastav elaborated on why he believed he had significant ties to India.According to him, he has spent the last five years building his company and remains deeply involved in its day-to-day operations.“I have a company to run here in India that I’ve been giving pretty much 24 hours a day for the last 5 years. On top of that, I have my parents and family, with whom I love spending time. Trust me, I have plenty of reasons to come back home!”He also noted that he draws a salary from the company and has sufficient funds to support his travel.Why Some Indian Entrepreneurs Face Visa RejectionsImmigration experts and applicants familiar with the process say one challenge for founders is that business ownership alone may not always be viewed as proof that a person will return home.Visa officers often evaluate whether an applicant has compelling reasons to leave the US after a temporary visit. In some cases, entrepreneurs may be seen as capable of managing parts of their business remotely.As a result, running a company, employing staff or having investors may not automatically guarantee approval.Family Ties Often MatterApplicants with spouses and children living in their home country are often viewed as having stronger personal ties than those who are unmarried.For entrepreneurs who are single, proving long-term commitments outside of business can sometimes become more important during the visa assessment process.The final decision, however, depends on the overall profile of the applicant and the interview conducted by consular officials.Social Media Users Offer SuggestionsFollowing the rejection, several users shared advice based on their own experiences. One suggestion was to provide a more specific travel purpose, such as attending a conference, event or exhibition in the United States.A user commented: “This eliminates number of questions and make smooth process. As it makes sure once event is done, you’ll fly back to your home country.”Others encouraged Srivastav to reapply and emphasized that visa denials do not necessarily affect future applications if circumstances or supporting documentation change.Founder Taking Rejection in StrideDespite the setback, Srivastav appeared determined to try again. His post resonated with many entrepreneurs who said founders are often accustomed to hearing rejection while building businesses.For now, the startup founder says he plans to reapply in the future—hoping that the next time, his ties to India will be viewed differently.