AgenciesIM Md Imran (Special Arrangements)
A 17-year-old Indian chess player is facing the possibility of losing his US university scholarship because of prolonged visa appointment delays, months after losing his passport and valid visas during a tournament trip to Slovakia.
Md Imran, from Andhra Pradesh, lost his passport, phone, money and personal belongings in Bratislava in June. His passport also contained valid US F-1 and Schengen visas, leaving him stranded in Europe and disrupting his plans to pursue higher education in the US.
Also read: US-based NRI loses Rs 2.11 crore in forex trading fraud through fake Handtec Markets platform
Although he subsequently secured two consecutive Grandmaster (GM) norms, bringing him closer to the title, his US visa problems remain unresolved. The International Master (IM), who earned the title in 2025, has deferred admission to the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) in Brownsville, Texas, from Fall 2026 to Spring 2027.
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His next university orientation is scheduled for January 19, 2027. Failure to secure an F-1 visa in time could put his scholarship at risk.
"The very next day, on July 7th, 1 applied for a new Schengen visa for Hungary. This marked my 13th attempt at applying for a Schengen visa," Imran told Timesofindia.com.
Despite his tournament history in Hungary and an earlier one-year multiple-entry visa from the same consulate, he received a visa valid for only three months, from July 18 to October 31.
"It sounded completely ridiculous, especially when I know many friends who have received 2- to 5-year validity visas in just their 2nd to 5th attempts. I truly don't understand what's wrong with my case," he added.
"Flying back to India solely for visa processing costs an exorbitant amount of time and heavy money on flight tickets, on top of the constant re-application hurdles," he added.
"I waited in Europe and tried for a U.S. appointment all the way through August, September, and October. Unfortunately, despite trying every single day for four months since the June incident, I still have not secured an appointment," he said.
Between July and October, he participated in more than 10 events, although only three offered strong opportunities to secure his final GM norm. Two were scheduled between August 8 and 23, while the third took place from October 3 to 11.
The uncertainty surrounding his university admission and visa situation also affected his performance. His rating fell from a peak of 2503 to 2477.
"Under the intense psychological pressure of the missing norm and my crumbling U.S. visa situation, my performance dipped. I suffered an insane rating decline despite relentless fighting spirit. Completely exhausted and under immense stress, I flew back home on October 12," Imran revealed.
Imran's father is a police officer and his mother is a homemaker. The family has reportedly accumulated loans of around Rs 40-50 lakh to finance his international chess career.
"My father has supported me with everything he possibly can, stretching himself to the absolute limit, but it's falling short over time," Imran said. "I built my chess career entirely through my own hard work without formal high-end coaching."
He has approached the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's Office and other political leaders for financial assistance through state sports incentive schemes, but has received no response so far.
However, his US F-1 visa remains unresolved, with the January 19 university orientation deadline approaching.
He is scheduled to return to Europe on November 19 for four tournaments in Portugal, Spain and Sweden:
"My life is currently at a critical crossroads. Between the heavy financial debts of playing professional chess, the constant struggle to secure my final GM norm, and the looming threat of losing my U.S. university scholarship at the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley if I can't resolve my visa crisis by Spring 2027, the situation is completely overwhelming," he concluded.
Md Imran, from Andhra Pradesh, lost his passport, phone, money and personal belongings in Bratislava in June. His passport also contained valid US F-1 and Schengen visas, leaving him stranded in Europe and disrupting his plans to pursue higher education in the US.
Also read: US-based NRI loses Rs 2.11 crore in forex trading fraud through fake Handtec Markets platform
Although he subsequently secured two consecutive Grandmaster (GM) norms, bringing him closer to the title, his US visa problems remain unresolved. The International Master (IM), who earned the title in 2025, has deferred admission to the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) in Brownsville, Texas, from Fall 2026 to Spring 2027.
(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)
His next university orientation is scheduled for January 19, 2027. Failure to secure an F-1 visa in time could put his scholarship at risk.
Lost passport led to fresh visa hurdles
Imran obtained a replacement passport from the Indian Embassy in Budapest on June 29 and returned to India on July 6."The very next day, on July 7th, 1 applied for a new Schengen visa for Hungary. This marked my 13th attempt at applying for a Schengen visa," Imran told Timesofindia.com.
Despite his tournament history in Hungary and an earlier one-year multiple-entry visa from the same consulate, he received a visa valid for only three months, from July 18 to October 31.
"It sounded completely ridiculous, especially when I know many friends who have received 2- to 5-year validity visas in just their 2nd to 5th attempts. I truly don't understand what's wrong with my case," he added.
"Flying back to India solely for visa processing costs an exorbitant amount of time and heavy money on flight tickets, on top of the constant re-application hurdles," he added.
US visa delay forced university admission
Imran had planned to continue competing in Europe, secure his final open Swiss GM norm and return to India in time for UTRGV's Fall 2026 orientation on August 23. However, he could not obtain a US visa appointment."I waited in Europe and tried for a U.S. appointment all the way through August, September, and October. Unfortunately, despite trying every single day for four months since the June incident, I still have not secured an appointment," he said.
Between July and October, he participated in more than 10 events, although only three offered strong opportunities to secure his final GM norm. Two were scheduled between August 8 and 23, while the third took place from October 3 to 11.
The uncertainty surrounding his university admission and visa situation also affected his performance. His rating fell from a peak of 2503 to 2477.
"Under the intense psychological pressure of the missing norm and my crumbling U.S. visa situation, my performance dipped. I suffered an insane rating decline despite relentless fighting spirit. Completely exhausted and under immense stress, I flew back home on October 12," Imran revealed.
Family has accumulated Rs 40-50 lakh in loans
Supporting a professional chess career in Europe costs between Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 3 lakh every month, covering flights, visas, accommodation, tournament fees, food and local travel.Imran's father is a police officer and his mother is a homemaker. The family has reportedly accumulated loans of around Rs 40-50 lakh to finance his international chess career.
"My father has supported me with everything he possibly can, stretching himself to the absolute limit, but it's falling short over time," Imran said. "I built my chess career entirely through my own hard work without formal high-end coaching."
He has approached the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's Office and other political leaders for financial assistance through state sports incentive schemes, but has received no response so far.
New Schengen visa offers some relief
Imran applied for another Schengen visa at the Hungarian Consulate in Mumbai on October 16, marking his 14th application. Following an emergency appointment, he received a one-year visa on October 24.However, his US F-1 visa remains unresolved, with the January 19 university orientation deadline approaching.
He is scheduled to return to Europe on November 19 for four tournaments in Portugal, Spain and Sweden:
- Funchal Open, Portugal: 26 November to 2 December
- El Llobregat Open, Spain: 3 December to 8 December
- Sunway Sitges Chess Festival, Spain: 12 December to 22 December
- Rilton Cup, Stockholm, Sweden: 27 December to 5 January
"My life is currently at a critical crossroads. Between the heavy financial debts of playing professional chess, the constant struggle to secure my final GM norm, and the looming threat of losing my U.S. university scholarship at the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley if I can't resolve my visa crisis by Spring 2027, the situation is completely overwhelming," he concluded.
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