How I got rejected for my F1 visa?
I am writing this anonymously. I do not want this article to be a reason for the next rejection. I will not get into specifics but try to cover pretty much everything. So my Uber driver asked me for extra cash as the location was a few meters away from the destination. One part of me wanted to argue with the driver but the other said this is not the time. I entered the building, sat on the metallic couch. My butt can feel the sudden surface change from Uber seat to metal. I am sweating in winter. I do not know whether it is the pressure I am in or the city condition.
I went into the cabin, it looks like any government office from the inside, but how is it relevant, concentrate. I see a bald guy, I look at him, the first picture that popped into my head is of roadies, a result of too many memes scrolling. I calm myself down.
We exchanged morning greetings. He greeted me as if he was doing it for the 1000th time of the day. He asked me to pass my I20 and passport. But C’mon man he ain’t even looking at me, I wore a 10K INR suit just to impress him, and he won’t even look at me that ain’t fair, my bald man.
Anyway, I passed him my documents, he was going through the file, he asked me the first question. Why the Uni? I knew this question, I also knew I cannot tell the truth that I have no choice. I have been practicing its answer, the paragraph I read on Wikipedia about boasting my Uni, for the last two weeks in the best accent possible. Here it comes, I can easily engage this guy for five min with my answer. But things do not go according to plan, never went, never will. I am in my second sentence and already interrupted. How many did I apply for? oh snap, I knew this question too, the answer was Applied for five and received admit from one. No amount of flattery can make it sound good.
We go on to discuss research opportunities and the curriculum. Then he asked me what I had been doing since graduation, tbh we were all sitting idle. But I told him about a course I did on edx.com, he looked impressed. The roadies gif was still rolling in my head.
Now all the family questions have started coming up, starting with my siblings, I know these questions are all a setup to get to my father’s occupation and his earnings. Anyone in my family visited The US before? Oh, yea, my granny was born in Alabama and all of my cousins live in The US. No, I am just kidding. I wish that it was true and I could have said it. I said no and that I’ll be the first in my family to go to The US.
Moving onwards to the funding question. If two weeks ago, anyone would have asked who is paying for your education. I would have said it’s none of his business but I understand the importance of the question now. I just had to say that some of it, my family is supporting me and I am confident that I’ll pay off the huge debt by my mid-thirties.
Now the final part, anyone can tell that I am desperate and nervous by now. What are my plans after MS? My heartbeat raised, is this is it? The hustle I was doing for the last six months completes here. Can I now call joe my president?. I controlled myself. I told him I would be returning to India.
I didn’t know my joy would not last a minute. In the end, he told me he can’t approve my visa. He gave me my passport and 214b.
Figuring out what went wrong.
Now FOMO is killing me.
Telegram group (for discussions):
Discord group ( for slot alert ) :
Images (some questions ) :
Other Important links (read once before the interview) :
- https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-get-through-in-my-F1-student-visa-interview
- https://www.internationalstudent.com/immigration/f1-student-visa/f1-visa-interview-questions/
Agent( was very helpful during the process): Arun Sharma ( Sorry not including his number for privacy reasons)
