VOI World/ Desk
A 38-year-old doctor from Hyderabad died by suicide after her application for a US J-1 visa was rejected, her family and police said. The woman, identified as Dr V. Rohini, had reportedly been accepted for a residency program at a US institution but had to forego the offer after visa denial three months ago. Her mother described the visa rejection as the tipping point and said she no longer wants any of her children to go to the US.
Police in Chilkalguda, Hyderabad said the incident happened Thursday night at Rohini’s flat in Padmarao Nagar. Her mother told reporters Rohini had left a note in which she cited the visa rejection as a reason for her extreme move. The doctor had completed her MBBS in Russia and lived with her family in Hyderabad, while pursuing her dream of setting up a clinic in the US.
In grief, her mother remarked that despite Indians contributing significantly to the US economy, entry is frequently denied, dealing heavy emotional blows. She said she would discourage her sons from seeking overseas careers going forward, preferring that they stay and work in India instead.
The tragic case has sparked debate over the emotional toll of visa anxieties and institutional hurdles faced by professionals seeking opportunities abroad. While investigations continue, mental-health experts and immigration advocates have called for better support systems and a relook at visa rejection policies, especially when lives and aspirations are at stake.
