5 6318562504972697993

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Date: 21st August 2020

Consulate: Delhi
Slot: 9:00 AM
In Time: 8:45 AM
Out Time: 9:15 AM
Interview Duration:10 Min
Status : Accepted
As soon as i entered shown my Visa Appointment letter to the security Officer at the main gate
sanitized my hands, Entered another check in removed my Belt,Shoes& handovered the file for
scanning purposes.
Entered the main building a guy standing over there who works for CGI asked for my
passport,i20,Ds160,SEVIS fee Receipt. Waited in the waiting hall for 10min and then called me.
They asked me to keep my passport, Ds160 confirmation form and i20 form handy
It was my turn.
ME : I greeted the VO with Good Morning and smile.

VO : Good Morning, How are you doing today?
ME : I am doing good Sir. Thank you …How are you doing ?
VO : I am doing good. Thank you. So Texas A&M.
ME : Yes Sir.
VO : Can you please take off your mask let me verify your identity?
Me : Okay Sir. Removed my mask
VO : Can you tilt left (was in fun mood eating yoghurt) Oh yeah you look pretty much same. Can
you place your right hand let me verify your fingerprint !
Me : Done. verified ! Now it's time for interview.
VO : Which course?
ME : CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
VO : Great. Tell me about your background.
Me : Sir, I have done my undergraduate in Civil Engineering from Manipal Institute of
Technology, Manipal. After that, I have worked in construction industry for 2.5 years.
VO : Which University?
ME : Manipal Institute of Technology which under Manipal University.
VO : How many universities you applied too?
ME : 5 universities with 4 admit and 1 reject.
VO : Can you name them?
ME : Admit in Texas A&M, Purdue, Georgia Tech, University of Washington and one reject from
UT Austin.
VO : UT Austin Rejected you ?
😀
ME : Yes Sir
VO : Their loss Anyways.
VO : Why Texas A&M
ME : Sir, I chose Texas A&M because of its flexible curriculum and variety of open electives
which can be also opted from department departments which will help me move forward in my
career.
VO : Okay. Who is gonna sponser you ?
ME : Sir, My mother will be sponsoring me and also I have secured educational loan from
Prodigy. On top of that I have been availed with 1000$ scholarship with out of state tution
waiver.
VO : So it's partially funding.
ME : Yes Sir, they have mentioned the same in my i20 also.
VO : What does your mother do?
ME : My mother is deputy principal in Doon Public School in my hometown from last 15 years.
Kept on typing. Tense moment no more questions.
VO : Congratulations, your visa is approved. Follow the quarantine guidelines as per your
university. Show your i20 at the port of entry. You will get your passport in two working days.
ME : Thank you so much Sir. You made my day. Have a great day. Namaste !
VO : Namaste
Left with a big smile. Dreams come true with some patience.
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F-1 VISA Interview at Kolkata (Emergency Slot) [Counter 6]:
V.O. : Middle-aged guy (pretty muscular).
Me : Good morning, sir.

V.O.: Pass me your passport, SEVIS slip and DS-160 Confirmation.
Me : (did)
V.O: So you are going for a MS?
Me: Yes.
V.O.: Why MS?
Me.: Being in the industry for the last 2.5 years since my graduation I realized the importance of
gaining more technical skills and knowledge that will give me an edge over others when I come
back to India.
V.O : So you wish to come back and work in India?
Me : That's right sir. I wish to return to India and find a job as a software engineer.
V.O. : That's great. How will you finance yourself?
Me : I have a loan that covers my entire I-20 amount and the following year. On top of that,
these are my savings (passed the documents). Also my parents are willing to assist me if need
be (passed their documents).
V.O : Looks great. You did your Bachelor's in CS?
Me: Yes sir.
V.O. : From where?
Me: (Told)
V.O. : What's your GRE score?
Me. : 328 with (xxx in Verbal, xxx in Quants and x.x in AWA).
V.O. : And TOEFL?
Me. : 117 (again subdivisions)
V.O. : Do you have any siblings?
Me : Yes, sir. [Details were mentioned already in the DS-160].
V.O. : Where does she stay?
Me : (Told the place in USA)
V.O. : How many years has she been there?
Me. : (Told)
V.O. : Is she studying or working?
Me. : She is working, Sir.
V.O. : Could you tell me her company and designation?
Me. : (Told)
V.O. : Tell me her DOB please?
Me : (Told)
V.O. : How many Universities did you apply to? Please name them.
Me : (Did).
V.O. : How is your sister's surname spelt?
Me. : (Did).
<Frantically typing at his computer it looked like he couldn't find his intended search results>
V.O. : Sorry,missed you. Which are the Universities again?

Me : (Told.)
V.O. : What is your sister's VISA category?
Me : (Told)
V.O. : Was this the initial category?
Me.: (Told)
V.O. : I see. Thank you. We would need some further information from you. Please head over to
Counter 2.
(I did).
They handed me a "Reject under 221(g)- Further Verification Required" along with a DS-5335
and asked me to email them after filling those up.
There's no deadline as to when I would get a final decision. My classes start in less than a
month. And I am distraught
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Biometrics- 23rd, Mumbai
Interview- 25th, Mumbai.
My time slot was 10.15am, I reached around 9 and most of the others there with me were of the
10 o clock slot.
Questions-
1. Why the particular course
2. Why the university
3. How are you funding it
4. What does your dad do
5. Future plans
6. Do you know the quarantine procedure.
Visa approved.
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Visa Appointment: Normal
Biometric: 21st Aug in Hyderabad
Interview: 24th Aug in Delhi
Interview Duration - 2 to 2.5 min
VO - Passport please
VO - Your I-20
Q1 - May I know for which visa you are applying for and why
Q2 - okie, you are going to ** university, I don't know why, I can see many people today for this
university, is there any reason for that (before me some other people went with same university)
Q3 - Tell me a bit about your background
VO: Please remove your mask for identification..,, taken my fingerprints as well
VO - Do you have SEVIS receipt with you
Q4 - Why information systems

Q5 - Why this Uni
Q6 - What are other universities you applied for
Q7 - Do you have scholarship
Q8 - May I know why don't have scholarship ( I said no to Q7, so he asked me reason)
Q9 - Is your university offering online or in person classes
Q10 - Who is finding for your education
VO - Ok, I am approving your visa. Show your I-20 and SEVIS receipt at Immigration and make
sure you follow all the quarantine rules given by your university
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Visa Interview Experience:
Date:24th August,2020
Consulate: Delhi
Slot: 12:00
Intime: 10:50
Out time: 11:20
Me: good morning ma'am

VO: pass me your I-20 and passport
VO: so NYU
Me: yes ma'am
VO: Masters in Computer Science?

Me: No Ma'am, Computer Engineering
VO: have you been to New York.(interrupts) looks like you haven't
So whose funding your education,your parents?
Me: my parents and I have secured a loan
VO: and you also have a scholarship..congratulations

Me: Thanks
VO:what do your parents do

Me: my father is a consulting engineer and mother is a govt. school teacher
VO: when did you complete your engineering

Me:2015
VO: what were you doing since then

Me: I was working
VO: where
Me: told her company names
(She typed something , scanned my passport twice..looked worried)

VO: do you have your passport photo?
Me: No ma'am, I had my biometrics in Delhi this Friday
(She went somewhere for 10 minutes, came back with someone)
VO: goto counter no.2

Me: Ok
(Went there..the guy took my photograph, gave me my passport and i-20 and asked me to go
back to my counter)
VO: hand me your passport and I-20

(She then scanned my passport thrice)
VO: I am approving your Visa

Me: Thank you Ma'am...!!!
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Mumbai consulate
Visa date :25th
Visa approved.
Only 3 questions
Why did you go to Canada?
What's your sponsor's annual Income?
What's the total saving amount?
P. S. - haven't even asked to remove my mask and didn't confirm the identity.
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*VISA EXPERIENCE*
Date - 24/8/20
Slot time - 10:15 AM, Reached at - 10:00 AM, Out at - 10:15 AM
Embassy - Delhi
Course - MSBA, University - UCSD
Status - Approved
Entry and Security Check:
There is a first security check where they ask for DS-160 stamped confirmation from the
biometric appointment, appointment letter and passport.
Then proceeded to another security check which is similar to airports - you have to put all your
stuff into a basket and they scan for objects.
Then you proceed to the waiting area - since there were not many people, I went directly to the
area where the interviews are held. There were almost 6 functional counters. I was asked to
wait…I was asked to wait but before I could even sit, they called me.
VO was a pretty lady in her mid-twenties, she asked for my passport and I-20.
VO - So MBA at UC San Diego hmm..
Me - No, it's not an MBA, it's a mix of technical and business courses. I'd say more technical
and some business courses.
<Silence for 2 mins, she was working on her laptop the whole time>
VO - So how many universities did you apply to?
Me - 8, 4 admits 4 rejects
VO - Can you name them?
Me - UCSD, UMCP I mean the University of Maryland... <fumbled>, UCI
<cuts in between>
VO - Why UCSD?
Me - I have two years of exp in analytics, I didn't want to start from basics and UCSD gives me
the liberty to choose a lot of courses and I can tailor my curriculum to my career goals
Secondly, it's has a good teacher to.... <Cuts in between again>
VO - Who is sponsoring your education?
Me - My parents, they have liquid <Cuts again>
VO- What do they do?
Me - They both are government bank pensioners. <Cuts again>
VO - Sorry? They are in the bank? Or retired?
Me - They retired from the bank. My father retired in 2014 after 36 years of service and my
mother ...<cuts again>
VO - Do you know, there is a mandatory 15-day quarantine when you reach?
Me - Yes I do.
VO - I'm approving your visa
Me - Thank you so much.
Some Advice:
1. Leave your mobile in the car
2. The constant cutting your answer makes you nervous, be prepared for that - I was not
prepared for this and I fumbled at many places because of this.
3. Come to the main point/fact as soon as you can without being sound robotic - they don't give
you much time to answer.
4. Learn your answers by bulletin points (if you have to) not the whole sentence/para so that you
can frame the answer at the moment and not sound robotic. I was sounding robotic two days
back until my friend pointed out.
5. Read as many interview experience as you can. I referred
https://parthvijayvergiya.wordpress.com/category/post-admissions/visa-trump/ great stuff. So
you get the idea of what will be thrown at you. Avoid rejection interviews if they are affecting
your morale.
6. Extra questions for which I was prepared for - Where will you be living in your quarantine
period? How many credits are you taking this quarter and how many of them are in person?
Which course is the in-person one? (Had the relevant documents to justify the answers - emails
from the university about course enrollment etc.)
7. I think confidence is the only key here. Before the interview I took a few deep breaths - I told
myself that the worst case out of this is not that bad either and some things cannot be
controlled.
Be Confident, you'll do great.
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Mumbai consulate
Visa date :27th
Visa approved.
Biometrics and Interview both on the same day.(Emergency Appointment)
Questions
1. Why NYU?
2. Why are you being nervous?
3. What does your dad do?
4. Have fun in NewYork!
I wasnt asked to remove my mask and didn't confirm the identity.
Didn't ask for any financial documents.
My Biometrics was at 11:30

And Visa Interview at 12:30
However I went early. And as there was no rush.. I was done by 11:15
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F1 Visa experience.
Status: F1 Visa approved.
Center: Chennai
Date: 31st Aug,2020
Time: 11:30
It went fast and smooth. The VO asked about my research and about future plans
post-graduation. We continued with discussing funds and he approved them and granted me a
visa.
Thank you for the all the support from the group. We had been together with optimism and hope
and growing stronger. It was a hectic yet great experience. Thanks everyone!
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Status: F1 Visa approved.

Already have H4 valid visa
Spouse: H1B visa holder
Center: Delhi
Date: 26th Aug,2020
Time: 11 am (in-time: 9:35 am)
(Profile: GRE:309, TOEFL:104, 7 years of experience, B.Tech Biotech, MBA)
Me: Goodmorning Sir.
VO: Good morning !
VO: Hi. Can I have your passport, i20 and SEVIS fee confirmation ?
Me: Given
(After scanning the bar code on the passport couple of times)
VO: Have you applied for visa interview to some other center?
Me: No
(VO scanning it again, and finally typed the code in the system)
VO: Remove your mask. (Verified my pic of the passport)
You have gained a lot?
Me: Yes Sir, because of the lockdown. (Tried talking more but interrupted)
VO: Put your left hand on the scanner
Me: Did
VO: SIr, you have two hands and I have asked for the right one to put on scanner.
Me: Sorry. Did
(His voice was so low, I kept on asking "Please say that again", Beg your pardon". So far, he
was successful in his job of intimidating students)
VO: Which course you are going to study and why?
Me: MS Business analytics. Started answering for why. (Just after few sentences on course
structure, VO interrupted and was like don't give me recited answers tell me something else. I
started fumbling because of the way it has been started and difficulty speaking through mask.
VO: Why this university?
Me:( Had 3 main points. Course structure, Faculty, Industry association. Course structure he
was not interested in knowing) Then i started explaining Faculty. Not even finished the
sentence...
VO: Have you spoken to or written to the faculty?
Me: No. I have researched their profile and have (VO signalling .. what next.. move forward from
this point........) read few of their articles published in the journals
I moved to next point to explain industry association.. (One word and VO was signalling cut it
short. Leave it)
By this time I started having all the negative thoughts.
VO: Who is sponsoring your visa?

ME: My father and my spouse?
VO: Your spouse? Is she your wife?
(I didn't understand this question, as the VO was speaking so slow. He repeated ) Is your
spouse your wife?
Me; Yes, My wife.
VO: Where is she?
Me: She is in US and working on H1B.
(typing on system......)
VO: What was your under-graduation in?
Me: Answered
VO: Which university?
Me: Answered
VO: What is your GRE score?
Me: Answered
VO: Did you get admit from other universities?
ME: Yes, 6.
VO: Can you name them?
Me; Started naming (After 3rd university he was like cut it cut it....)
After a pause and looking suspiciously at the system..

VO: Have you applied for this visa before?
Me: No
VO, Looking at my passport previously stamped h4 visa, my face looks little different from my
earlier visa fotos. Asked about my face change. Started smiling a little.
VO: Congratulations Prateek! I am approving your visa.

Me: Thank you so much. Have a great day ahead !
And I turned was like WHAT JUST HAPPENED !!

Took couple of mins to believe, yes they have kept the passport and is approved. :)
P.S: Do not loose hope till the end. You never know what the VO mind is upto. Even after not so
good start you can turn the table around.
Also, do practice answering the questions with someone having your face mask on.
Thank you for the all the support from the group.
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Got my F1 visa approved today (14th Sept 2020) for Spring'21 start date at US Embassy in New
Delhi.
~1 to 1:30 minutes short interview

~I've already started the program virtually from India in Fall'20 with 10 credits (Full-Time course
load)
Questions asked:
1. Which program are you going for?

2. Why UT Dallas?
3. Which other admits did you receive?
4. How will you fund your education?
5. What do your parents do?
6. Have you started your program virtually?
7. Which subjects are you taking in Fall'20 semester?
30 second pause.
Your visa is APPROVED!
8. Are you aware of the qurantine procedure?
Tips: Look confident, maintain eye contact, do your research about the program and prepare for
interview by self-analysing your case.
Observations: Less crowd, less active counters (10-15% of the maximum capacity) - my
interview was scheduled at 10:45 am, but I walked in at around 9 am and walked out at 9:15
am.
~No documents asked other than Passport and i20(Print out of electronic signed i20).
~Will be posting the complete experience soon. Stay tuned!

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My visa exp
1.what is your bachelors gpa?how much is ur gre?
2.which course did you apply to?which all university did you apply to?
3.who is going to fund your studies?
4.what do they do?
5.are you aware of the travel quarantine in florida?
6.have you travelled to US ever ?have you travlled to any other countries
Status approved
Loc Chennai
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Here is another
Visa Experience:
1st attempt
Status: Approved
Consulate: Mumbai
Slot: 12pm 9th September 2020
Counter no: 36
In time: around 10:40 am
Out time: 11:05 am
VO is a lady in her early 30s, looks chilled.
University: Texas Tech University, Ms in Computer Science.
Me: Good Morning ma’am. (I’m wearing a Face shield and mask, didn’t ask me to remove)
VO: Good Morning, can you please give me your documents, sanitize your hands.
Me: gave my documents (Passport, I20 and SEVIS fee) *sanitised my hands *
VO: asked me to put fingers on finger prints machine (my hands are still wet with sanitizer
:sweat_smile:)
Me: placed my fingers for finger prints as VO instructed.
VO: So, why did you choose Texas Tech University.

Me: The University has well structured course curriculum that offers courses like data analytics,
Machine Learning and Data Mining which are career interests and the University has a
dedicated lab for data analysis called * interrupted typed something in computer*
VO: How many universities did you apply and what are your admits?
Me: Applied for 8 universities and got admit from 5 universities and named them.
VO: Who’s sponsoring for your education?
😅
Me: My father is sponsoring for my education and I have a finance loan by prodigy which is
offering 32,600 per year (I forgot to mention dollars )
VO: what does your father do?
Me: told
VO: Are you aware of the quarantine, any arrangements made?

Me: told, I emailed to Unit Manager regarding this and got information that there is nothing like
quarantine unless I show symptoms.
VO: *looking on the screen * You are working in TCS, so, since how long have you been
working?
Me: told
VO: Do you have any savings?

Me: I don’t have enough savings for master’s, I have around xx in my account. *Both laughing *
VO: what about your father?

Me: my Father has savings of xx lacs.
🤦🏻♂)
VO: you told you have prodigy loan, how much amount?
Me: it’s 32,600 per month (forgot to mention dollars again
😁
VO: Dollars right (smiling)
Me: yes ma’am, 32,600 dollars per year
VO: okay sir, your Visa is approved have a nice day. *Passed me a white slip that has
instructions about tracking (I didn’t see it properly) *
Me: Thank you ma’am (I was in shock, took a pause and told) you made my day.
The interview hardly lasted for 3 mins.

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Visa experience.
Consulate : Mumbai
Date 14th September .
Status: approved
1.Pass me your I20 and passport.

2. Have you travelled to the US before
3. Why this university .
4 . What are your other admits
5. What did you do your bachelor's in
6. How are you going to fund your education
7. What do your parents do
8. What's their income
9 . Have you been informed on any qurantine rules by the university
-
My interview was scheduled for 11:50 but I was allowed in earlier . I went in at 10:50 and got out
at 11. The consulate was pretty empty and functional at extremely reduced staff .
--------------------
Visa Experience:
Booked Emergency Visa Appointment on 18th August got call on 19th Aug (5:30 PM), Arranged
all the documents on 20th Aug.
Consulate: Hyderabad
Counter Number: 12 (Only this Counter was open in the whole Embassy)
Slot: 10:45 AM
In Time: 10:30 AM
Out Time: 12:20 AM
Interview Duration:35-40 Min
Status : Accepted
scanning purposes.
passport,i20,Ds160,SEVIS fee Receipt & a passport size photo. Took and handovered me in
20min. Waited in the waiting hall for 10min and then called me
VO was an American lady i guess her age is mid 25-26. She rejected 3 F1 Student Visas before
me and next to that was me
Me: Good Morning Officer, How are you Doing?

VO: Good Morning, please pass me your Passport and i20.
Me:Sure Officer,Here it is.
VO: Trying to scan my passport but she was unable to scan the bar code due to some technical
error.(With a blank face, freaked out completely)
Me:How did your Quanrantine go Officer?
VO: It went great had lot of time to spend with my family,this is the first time we had best
memories.
Me: Laughing
VO: Turned her Mic Off and was out of the counter for about 5min and came back and told me
to stand behind the wall for 15 more minutes again and interviewed the next candidate for 5min
she was on H4 and got her visa approved as well. She called me again to come forward
VO: Sorry for the inconvenience caused
Me: Not a problem officer thank you so much
VO: whats meant by Industrial?
Me: It is a branch of Engineering which deals with manufacturing,Production and design.
VO: What made you to choose this?
Me: As i am a Mechanical Background student my father owns a small scale manufacturing
industry where we generally manufacture drilling and Borewell related spare
sparts,Bits,Hammers,Pistons,Springs ..Etc
VO: Did this COVID effect your Industry?
Me: Yes officer
VO: Then how did you manage?Have you been in losses?
Me: No officer you can check our recent1 years Transaction History , as we are having a
manufacturing industry we generally manufacture the stock which can last upto 1 year and due
to this covid guidelines all the industries are closed and expected to be opened in the next
month
VO: Who are going to fund you?
Me: My parents Officer
VO: What are your Savings?
Me: It is around 43 Lakhs Officer
VO: Can i call the bank and confirm now?
Me: Sure Officer ( She went in for 5min and returned to the counter again by eating something)
VO: Are you having any loan sanction letter?
Me: No officer i dont need any loan and financially we are very strong, I can provide you the
documents of needed
VO: Please pass me your Balance Confirmation Sheet as well your CA valuated document.
Me: Passes her all the financial related documents and placed there and she started seeing all
the assets ( Gave back to me again)
VO: Are you having orginals of the Property documents ?
Me: Yes Officer ( I am about to take that out she told not needed)
VO: What are your Parents Annual Income?
Me: My Fathers is around 16 lakhs and mothers is around 7lakhs so 23 lakhs in total officer.
VO: what does your Mother do?
Me: She gets Rental Income and she is a Fashion Designer and owns a boutique.
VO: Do you have any relative at University of New Haven?
Me: No officer, I dont have any one New Haven i have a elder brother who completed his
Masters and working for Spark Energy @ Houston ( Interrupted in middle)
VO: Is he on H1B?
Me: No officer he is on F1
VO: Does your brother going to settle down at USA?
Me: Laughed and told my brother is completely into IT Sector and he working to gain some
technical knowledge get back to India in the coming year and establish a software company
officer
VO: What about you? How long would you stay at United States?
--------------------------------------------------------.
Got my F1 Visa approved today at Kolkata Consulate

Was grilled over 3 points
1. Finances - Since I showed Prodigy loan letter, was asked what will happen if I don't pay it
back.
2. Visit to Australia - had visited for 2 weeks for a car team event, was asked in detail about it.
3. Sibling - Although my elder sister is currently in Bangalore currently undergoing an internship
at a Biotech company and never been to US, was still asked in detail about her career.
🙏
Overall compared to other interview experiences I read in this group, I felt mine was a little
weird. But, anyways all is well if it ends well so .
-----------------------------------
Visa interview experience
Consulate: Chennai
Date- 9th sept
University: Colorado State
Status: approved
Questions asked:
Why this University

What are you planning of studying
Have you traveled anywhere in the last 15 days
Have you lived outside India
What were you doing there
Which all universities did you apply
When did you graduate
What did you graduate in
What did you do after graduation
What are your plans after masters
Who is funding for your education
What's his annual income
How is he funding
What are your travel plans
Will you be traveling anywhere in the next 15 days
What's your quarantine plan
My answers were very brief , single line and many were yes/no.
Only document asked was my passport.
Tips : Keep it short ,don't give information/documents unless asked.

There's no point in making conversation. Greet them in the beginning ,thank them in the end no
matter how it goes, and stick to the questions asked.
You will answer with your mask on so be clear and loud enough( there will be a mic on the left
side , just lean in and answer or be loud enough for the mic
------------------------------------------
F1 Visa Experience
Consulate: Chennai
Time : 9:30 am
Status : Approved
Documents asked : Passport and i-20
Term: Spring 2021
Questions:
1. Which program at UTD?
2. What is your ITM specialization?
3. Is your course project or thesis based?
4. Which subjects are you taking in first semester?
5. What are your plans after graduation?
6. How are you gonna fund your education?
7. What are your quarantine plans?
8. Which flight route are you planning to take?
9. Have you ever been to United States before?
10. Are you planning to visit any other countries before coming to United States?
Tips: be confident , maintain eye contact and dress well

----------------------------------------------
Visa Experience
Interview Date: 16th Sept 2020

Center: Hyderabad (Regular Appointment)
Slot : 10:15 AM
Entry Time: 10:00 AM
Exit Time: 11:00 AM
Interview Duration: 3 mins (10:55 AM - 10:57 AM)
Counter: 12
Started Fall Online
VO guy was between 30 - 35 yrs and very friendly.
1. For which course you are planning to go to the US?

- Master of Science in Business Analytics
2. Why MABA?
- Answered
3. I see after your undergraduate you have been working?

- Yes, I have 6 years of experience.
4. Can you tell me more about your experience and your roles and responsibilities?
- Answered from my Start Role to Current role in short.
5. How doing masters in BA is going to help in your career?

- Told him about the scope of BA and how it will be helpful with reference to my current role.
6. What position you are going to join after completing your masters?
- Data Analyst
7. Can you tell me more about Data Analyst, i.e, more like what you will do as Data Analyst?
- I was not expecting this question so told him whatever I could think of Data Analyst at that
moment.
8. Who is sponsoring you?

- My Father
9. Tell me about what your father and mother do?

- Answered
10. Did you apply for any loan?

- No
VO: Congratulations! Your Visa is Approved.
Drop your passport in dropbox.
VO just asked for my DS-160 and I-20. I did not submit any other documents.
He took complete details about my dad's job. Like company name, position, location.
Be confident even if we don't know the answer and try to have a continuous conversation.
------------------
I had my visa appointment today, everything went well and the officer CONGRATULATED me
and said she is APPROVING my visa but she can't stamp it as it is done only 120 days prior to
the start date on i20.
She gave me a yellow slip of 221(g) with a note 'being passport to VAC 120 days prior to the
start date on i20'.
She told me to go to VAC 120 days prior to the start date and drop the passport and then pickup
the stamped passport later.
Does this happen? Has this happened to anyone else before?

CAN MY SISTER DROP OFF AND PICK UP MY PASSPORT OR DOES IT HAVE TO BE ME?
Please help to clear the confusion.
--------------------------------------------------
Visa Approved.
Consulate: Mumbai
Date of Interview: 31st August
Visa issue Date: 16th September.
[2:14 pm, 27/09/2020] Ayush: 1) Your passport & i20??
1) Why did you go to Cambodia? (While looking at my passport)
2) Which other universities have you applied?
3) how r you going to fund yourself?
4) what does your father do?
5) Since how long he has been working in this company?

6) His annual income.?
8) Where do you work?
9) What does your company manufacture?
10) Have you travelled in last two weeks? ( I didn't know, what he meant, but I said no.)
11) what other savings do you have?
3 - 4 more questions, I don't remember.
At last, VO said, as your class start date is in January, I request you to submit your passport on
14th September.
---------------------------------------------------
Hey guys! I just got my visa approved. My interview was supposed to be at 11:40 but i reached
there at 9 and they sent me inside..
Questions:
1. What all admits you got!
2. What's your top priority among these and why
3. Who's sponsoring you, what do they do and their annual income
4. How is he sponsoring you
5. Quarantine rules for florida!
---------------------------------------
Visa experience.
Consulate : Mumbai
Date 14th September .
Status: approved
1.Pass me your I20 and passport.

2. Have you travelled to the US before
3. Why this university .
4 . What are your other admits
5. What did you do your bachelor's in
6. How are you going to fund your education
7. What do your parents do
8. What's their income
9 . Have you been informed on any qurantine rules by the university
------
My interview was scheduled for 11:50 but I was allowed in earlier . I went in at 10:50 and got out
at 11. The consulate was pretty empty and functional at extremely reduced staff .
Delhi consulate.
Visa approved(for Spring 2021)
Interview lasted for barely 2-3 mins.
VO was a chilled out guy. He approved the visa of a student before me as well. And through out
the interview he was nodding his head. Below are the questions that were asked.
Which university and what course?

Arizona State University. And I ll be pursuing Master's in Computer Science.
How many admits did you get?

Told him(I didn't name the universities just gave the count of admits-7)
Why ASU?
I said about asu being no. 1 in innovation and something about machine learning and the
ongoing research by Prof Candon.
Who is funding you?
I told the VO about my parents savings and the loan that I have taken. I also mentioned the
property that my parents own.
Do you have any sibling in US and what does she do?

Told him about my sister and her job(she is a Business Analyst).
What do you plan to do after graduation?

Told him about my plans(start up idea).
And that's it. He said congratulations.
Feel free to ask me if you have further questions :)

----------------------------------
Visa Experience:
Slot: 10:45 AM
In Time: 10:30 AM
Out Time: 12:20 AM
Status : Accepted
scanning purposes.
20min. Waited in the waiting hall for 10min and then called me.
VO was an American lady i guess her age is mid 25-26. She rejected 3 F1 Student Visas before
me and next to that was me
Me: Good Morning Officer, How are you Doing?

VO: Good Morning, please pass me your Passport and i20.
Me:Sure Officer,Here it is.
VO: Trying to scan my passport but she was unable to scan the bar code due to some technical
error.(With a blank face, freaked out completely)
Me:How did your Quanrantine go Officer?
VO: It went great had lot of time to spend with my family,this is the first time we had best
memories.
Me: Laughing
VO: Turned her Mic Off and was out of the counter for about 5min and came back and told me
to stand behind the wall for 15 more minutes again and interviewed the next candidate for 5min
she was on H4 and got her visa approved as well. She called me again to come forward
VO: Sorry for the inconvenience caused
Me: Not a problem officer thank you so much
VO: whats meant by Industrial?
Me: It is a branch of Engineering which deals with manufacturing,Production and design.
VO: What made you to choose this?
Me: As i am a Mechanical Background student my father owns a small scale manufacturing
industry where we generally manufacture drilling and Borewell related spare
sparts,Bits,Hammers,Pistons,Springs ..Etc
VO: Did this COVID effect your Industry?
Me: Yes officer
VO: Then how did you manage?Have you been in losses?
Me: No officer you can check our recent1 years Transaction History , as we are having a
manufacturing industry we generally manufacture the stock which can last upto 1 year and due
to this covid guidelines all the industries are closed and expected to be opened in the next
month
VO: Who are going to fund you?
Me: My parents Officer
VO: What are your Savings?
Me: It is around 43 Lakhs Officer
VO: Can i call the bank and confirm now?
Me: Sure Officer ( She went in for 5min and returned to the counter again by eating something)
VO: Are you having any loan sanction letter?
Me: No officer i dont need any loan and financially we are very strong, I can provide you the
documents of needed
VO: Please pass me your Balance Confirmation Sheet as well your CA valuated document.
Me: Passes her all the financial related documents and placed there and she started seeing all
the assets ( Gave back to me again)
VO: Are you having orginals of the Property documents ?
Me: Yes Officer ( I am about to take that out she told not needed)
VO: What are your Parents Annual Income?
Me: My Fathers is around 16 lakhs and mothers is around 7lakhs so 23 lakhs in total officer.
VO: what does your Mother do?
Me: She gets Rental Income and she is a Fashion Designer and owns a boutique.
VO: Do you have any relative at University of New Haven?
Me: No officer, I dont have any one New Haven i have a elder brother who completed his
Masters and working for Spark Energy @ Houston ( Interrupted in middle)
VO: Is he on H1B?
Me: No officer he is on F1
VO: Does your brother going to settle down at USA?
Me: Laughed and told my brother is completely into IT Sector and he working to gain some
technical knowledge get back to India in the coming year and establish a software company
officer
VO: What about you? How long would you stay at United States?
Me: I need to gain practical knowledge,complete my masters and get back to India as soon as I
finish my masters I would come back and Ellaborate my fathers business,expanding the
business globally is my dream as USA degree is the technical leader for the whole world it
would help me in my career further.
VO: Are you aware that you must self quarantine yourself for 2weeks
Me:Yes Officer i am already in contact with one of my proffesor in the university who would take
care about my accommodation and stay when i arrive at the airport
VO: when are you flying to states?
Me: I can’t hear can you repeat once again?
VO: Congratulations Gentleman your Visa is approved
Me: Thank you so much mam you have made my day.
VO: Congratulations Once Again, Have a good stay at US
Me: When can i collect my Passport?
VO: In two working days you will receive a mail from the embassy you can come and collect.
Me: Thank you so much.
--------------------------------------------------
Visa Experience:
Slot: 10:45 AM
In Time: 10:30 AM
Out Time: 12:20 AM
Status : Accepted
scanning purposes.
20min. Waited in the waiting hall for…
[2:14 pm, 27/09/2020] Ayush: Hey guys! Sharing my interview experience. It's for Spring.
VAC was on 20th September, 3.30 pm. Interview appointment was on 21st September at 8.45
am at Delhi consulate.
Reached around 8.30 am. They asked us to be seated outside until 8.45 before forming a
queue.
At 8.45, they called out the applicants.
I got my passport checked and entered the embassy.
There were only 3 visa officers
My visa officer was a lady in her 40's who seemed to be an Indian American
Me: Good morning officer. How are you doing?
VO: Good morning. I'm good. Please pass me your passport and i-20
VO: What is the purpose of your travel to US?
Me: To purse my Masters in Computer Science
VO: Where and what did you graduate as? Here, in India?
Me: I graduated from my college in Bangalore as an Electronics and Communication engineer
VO: Have you been working since then?
Me: Yes, I have been working as a Software Engineer since I graduated and have a work
experience of 5 years now
VO: 5 years? Why Masters now?
Me: I want to further enhance my technical knowledge and skills and get an opportunity to do
research in my field of interest; for better career growth
VO: I see that you already have a US visa. Did you travel to US?
Me: No officer. I had to last December, but due to an accident had to cancel my US trip.
VO: Which universities did you apply to?
Me: I applied to Carnegie Mellon, UC Berkeley, USC, IUB and University of Minnesota-Twin
Cities
She wasn't able to get the last university, so, had to remove the mask and say it clearly
VO: Why USC?
Me: *I kind of fumbled here because there was so much to say and I was nervous.
So, just said,* USC is offering MS in CS specialising in Data Science which is my field of
interest. It has an expansive curriculum with great research and collaboration opportunities
VO: Who is funding your education?
Me: As I have been working, I have my own savings of ## lakhs and in addition, will be taking
an education loan. She seemed satisfied. I still added that my parents would support me if need
be.
VO: Place your left 4 fingers on the scanner, followed by right and your thumbs
VO: Are you aware of the quarantine rule?
Me: Yes, I am aware that I would have to undergo 14 days quarantine after reaching California
VO: Please follow it. I am approving your visa. Collect it in a week's time
Me: Thank you so much officer
VO: No worries
Me: Have a great day!
The interview didn't take more than 5 mins for me.
When I stepped out, there weren't many applicants and wasn't crowded like how it usually would
be during normal days.
Good luck to everyone!
---------------------------------------------
Visa experience.
Consulate : Delhi
Date 21st September
Slot: 9:30AM, IN: 9AM, OUT: 9:50
Course: MSBA, University of Texas at Dallas, JSOM
Status: Approved
Mine was counter no 2, VO was a middle aged man. He approved the visa of the person just
before me.
I was wearing mask and gloves so VO asked me if I am going for a surgery, lol, but he did not
smile.
1 .Pass me your I20 and passport.

2. Tell me about your study plans
3. Why US? There are good Indian universities, why not those?
4 .What type of student you have been in your academic career?
5. What was your bachelor's in and when?
6 .My i20 said Management Science And Quantitative Methods, so he asked Why moving from
CS to Management?
7 .I have 5 years of experience so he asked, What were you doing all these years since you
graduated? —> Asked a lot of questions about my current organization and current profile.
8 .Why going for MS now?
9. Who is gonna pay for your education?
10 .When are you starting in person classes?
11 .How are your virtual classes going on?
Congratulations, your visa is approved. Kept aside my passport. Please show the I20 at the port
and make sure to follow all the quarantine rules the same way you came wearing gloves today.
Lol.
NO ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTs asked apart from Sevis fee receipt and i20
I assume he was satisfied with all the answers although he kept the same poker face
throughout, even when saying congratulation.
Took about 10 mins.

Suggestion - Be confident and keep a smiling face.
----------------------------------------------
Visa Experience
University: University of Texas at Dallas(Started Fall-2020 virtually)
Date: 21-09-2020(9:45AM)
Earlier booked appointment at Mumbai(23/09/2020) and after OFC appointment(18-09-2020)
changed it to Hyderabad.
Avg Interview time: 20mins
Went in at 8:45 and came out at 12:30PM(My DS-160 location was Mumbai, hence it took time
for them to update the details to Hyderabad. The student who was before me at 8:45AM walked
out at 10:45AM, and was 6th person in the queue.)
Only one counter(12) was functional and VO was a man, age will be around 30.
My interview started at 12:10 and came out at 12:30.
Me: Good afternoon officer.
VO: Good afternoon, can you show your passport please?
VO: So why US?
Me: I didn't heard this properly and asked him to repeat. His voice was not clear with the mask)
VO: Which University?
Me: Again didn't hear properly, and told him about my course.
VO: No, What's your university?
Me: Told
VO: Which course?
VO: Where do you work and how long you have been working there?
VO: What is your role?
VO: Who is your client?
VO: What is your salary?
VO: How you are going to fund?
Me: Told(but interrupted in between)
VO: How much is your loan amount?
VO: Can I see your loan document?
VO: Who are your sponsors?
VO: What do they do?
VO: What is their annual income?
VO? You also said rental income right? How much rental income do they get?
VO: Can you pass your I-20 please?
Gone through my I-20 for 5mins and then typed something in his system.
VO: Did you apply for tourist visa before?
Me: No officer, I haven't applied to any visa before.
VO: Can you place your left hand over the scanner please.
VO: After 2mins, your visa is approved enjoy your stay at US, please give me your passport.
Me: Thankyou officer
VO: You are all set now, Thankyou.
Didn't understand few questions properly, but don't hesitate to ask them again ifyou are not
clear.
----------------------------------------
Visa experience
Consulate : Mumbai
Date 22nd September
Slot: 11:00AM, IN: 9:30AM, OUT: 9:50AM
Interview duration: 5 minutes
Course: MSBAPM, University of Connecticut
Status: Approved

2. What is your undergraduate degree ?
3. You are from engineering background so why you are going for managerial science (CIP
code)?
4 .What is your father's income ?
5. Have you started fall virtually?
Congratulations, your visa is approved.
----------------------------------------
Hey guys, Today I had a visa interview for spring 21 intake UIC MSBA. Here is how it went.
Consulate : Delhi
Date 22nd September
Course: MSBA, University of Illinois at Chicago
Status: Approved
VO was a woman in her 40s maybe.

2. Why UIC?
Told
3. What are your plans after masters?
Told
4 .Who lives in Canada?(After looking at the visa on my passport)
My uncle lives in Toronto
5. Which schools did you apply to and name?
Told the 7 univs
6 .Who is funding your education?
My parents
7 . Are your parents taking a loan?
No Ma'am, they have enough funds to sponsor my entire education.
8 .What do they do?
Told about my mother's and father's job.
9. Is your father still serving?
Yes Ma'am, gave her remaining details of my father's job.
10 .What is the mode of study at uic?online or hybrid?
University hasn't announced anything for spring but they are conducting fall in hybrid mode.
11 . Have you ever been to US?
No Ma'am, I have never been to US.
Congratulations! I am approving your visa. Have a great stay at US. (Kept my passport returned
my i20 and asked me to collect the passport in a week from Shivaji stadium)
You might be anxious before the interview but while giving the interview it just felt like a normal
conversation so just be loud, confident and know all about your plans and reasons.
Took about 5 mins

------------------------------------------
Mumbai Consulate
Status: Approved
Appointment Time: 21st Sept, 11:40am
But I reached the consulate at 11am only and asked the security person if I’ll be allowed to go in
as I have come early and he said yes, you can go.
Male interviewer
VC: Please pass your passport and I-20 form.

Me: Gave
VC took some time to carefully read the I-20 form.
VC: What is your under-graduate degree in?
Me: B.E. in Electronics and Telecommunication
VC: What is your father’s profession?
Me: He works at xx company.
VC: I mean what is his role/job in the company?
Me: He’s the head of the manufacturing engineering department.
VC: How much does he earn per year?
Me: Told
He typed on the computer for about a minute.
VC: Congratulations, your Visa is approved. Have a nice day.
Me: Thank you. You too have a nice day.
And I was out by 11:25am
---------------------------
Just got my visa approved
Q1. Which university and program?

Q2. Do you think it's the right time to go?(vo was laughing)
Q3. He asked where do i work and what do i do?
Q4. What's your job experience?
Q5. How will you support your education?
Q6. Can you show the IT returns?
Q7. Any other funds available?
Q8. Do you have any siblings?
Q9. How will you manage your living?
Loc: Hyderabad
--------------------------------
Got my Visa approved Today.
Consulate: Delhi
My appointment was at 9:30.
I reached the consulate by 8:30. Went in at 9.
The interview hardly took 2 minutes.
The interviewer was a middle aged man in his late 20s or early 30s.
Questions:
Please show me your passport and i20.
Why are you going to the US?
Whats your major?
What are your admits?
Why UTD?
What will you be specialising in?
Who will be finding you?
What does your father do?
You're Visa is approved.
Only documents asked were passport and i20.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Visa Experience
Location - Mumbai
Appointment Date&Time - September 23, 9:40am.
In time - 8:45am
Out time - 9:15am
I have two previous travel to US so I was drilled on that

Q1- What was the purpose of travel
Q2- Where did I stay
Q3- As both the visits were of one month long he asked for the specificity of my trip
And the last question was on who is going to sponsor me?
That’s all, no questions were asked on my education, work or even the university.
Status - Approved!
---------------------------------------------
Hey guys, I had a visa interview and here is how it went.
Consulate : Delhi
Date 23rd September
Course: MSCS, University of Texas at Dallas
VO was a guy and he was around 40s.

I gave.
2. Why going to UTD?

I told that got my preffered choice and mentioned abt some grps and faculties.
3. What are your plans after masters?

Being an eldest son, have responsibility .Will return back after completing and start my career
over here.
4. Which all Universities u applied?

I told all.
5. So u started your course, which all subjects u took?

Told all
6. What subject will u take in your next semester?

I told.
6 .Who is funding your education?

I told.
7 . Whats your parents combine salary?

I told.
8 .What do they do?

I told.
9. U know abt quarantine rules, how will u manage?

Yes Officer, and then told I will self quarantine.
10.. Have you ever been to US?

No Officer.
Congratulations! I am approving your visa. Have a great stay at US. (Kept my passport returned
my i20 and told me to collect the passport.)
My interview took about 2 mins.
I was little bit nervous a day before but on that day, its all worked out well.
Before my turn, I was observing all the officers and it seems that they all were nice and chill.
They were patiently hearing the answers and I saw some students were having trouble listening
so those officers were repeating the statement without being annoyed.
What I think is just be cool, try to respond a concise and to the point answer and let them speak
first, then answer accordingly.
------------------------------
Visa Experience
Date: 23 September 2020

Term: Spring 2021
Place : Hyderabad
Counter No: 12
VO was a middle aged man (age must be around 30 to 35 years)
VO: Good Morning
Me: Good Morning Sir
VO:Pass your passport
Me: gave
VO:Where are you going for your MS
Me: I’m going to University of Texas,Dallas to do MS in Business Analytics
VO:Do you have a work experience in this field?
Me: told
VO:What work do you do?
Me: told
VO: what type of applications do you develop?
Me:told
VO:Which client?
Me:told
VO:How are you going to pay your fee?
Me:I have taken a loan of XX , apart from this my father is sponsoring me. He has a savings of
XX.
VO: Can I see your bank loan statement?
Me: yes sir (gave)
VO: Is the house you have mentioned as collateral security the same where you stay?
Me: No
VO: What is this house used for?
Me: We have given it for rent
VO: what is your father?
Me: told
VO: What is his annual income?
Me: told
VO: Are you aware of the Quarantine rules?
Me: Yes sir, I am supposed to be on self quarantine for 14 days
VO: ok, your visa is approved.Please give me your passport
Me: Thank you sir, Have a nice day!
VO: Enjoy your study
Me: Thank you sir.
---------------------------------------------------
Mumbai Consulate
23rd Sept 10:40
University: UIUC MIM
Approved
I went in around 10:20 and was out by 10:35
I was actually asked 2 questions
VO: Good morning! Pass me your passport and i20
Me: Gave
VO: What is your undergrad degree in?
Me: Sir, Information Technology
VO: what does your father do?
Me: Told
VO: What is his annual income?
Me: Sir xx lakhs per annum
VO: Congratulations your visa is approved
Me: Thank you sir!
And thats all!
----------------------------------
Visa experience (APPROVED)

Place : Mumbai
Date : 23/09/2020
Overall time -15mins
S : Good morning Officer

V: passport
S : here it is.
V: Which university you are going?

S: told
V: How Many universities you have applied
S: Told Applied 2 universities
V: Why this university you have selected?

S: Told it has good research opportunities
V: Do you have any relatives in the US?

S: No
V: Who is sponsoring your education?

S: My parents are sponsoring my education
V: What does they do?

S: Told my father is businessman we deal in manufacturing, interrupted and asked next
question
V: What is the annual income

S: Told
V: How much funds you have?

S: Told about bank balance
V: Its not sufficient for your education

S: No sir, i have sufficient funds for 2 years studies.
V: Show me your I-20

S: Here it is and passed the I-20, Seen the amount on I-20
(Then for 2 minutes he was typing something on the desktop)
V: What are your future plans

S: Told
V: please scan fingerprints of your left hand

S:( I put my hand on the scanning machine)
V: Your visa is approved (and then he handed me a receipt)

S: Thank you Officer, You made my day
S: When can i collect my passport

V: After 3 working days you will receive email then you can collect it.
Suggestion: be prepared with your documents and answers

Most important "Dont be nervous" be confident and answer properly
Overall documents asked: Sevis fee receipt, passport, I-20.
--------------------------------------------------
: Visa Experience
Location - Mumbai
Visa time - 12:00 pm
In time - 11 am
Out time - 11.15 am
Interview duration - 5 minutes
Interview Questions:
1. Place of study in US
2. Which University
3. Source of Funds
4. Income of Sponsor
5. (Dint hear the question, asked VO to repeat but he skipped it then.)
Application Approved. White slip handed over. Passport taken by them.

---------------------------------
Visa experience:
Status : approved
Slot - 24th September
Interviewer: hi...good morning

Me: good morning sir
Interviewer: what is your parent's occupation
Me: owns a travel agency and part time photographer
Interviewer: nice....your visa has been approved...pls submit your passport
Me: oh...thank you sir you made my day....
That's it guys...only 1 question...hardly 30secs…

-----------------------------------------------------------
Date: 23rd September

Time: 8:30am
Consulate: Kolkata
Status: Approved
VO was a lady in her early 30s.
VO: Goodmorning
Me: Goodmorning mam.
VO: Please pass me your I20 and passport.

Me: Passed.
VO: Oh USC. Applied Data Science. Why this course?

Me: I have been working since the last 4 years as a Software developer & data analyst, so
inorder to accelerate my career as a data scientist I decided to go for Masters. The curriculum of
this course offered by USC is the perfect balance of courses focused on fundamentals as well
the application oriented part of it.(This was the only long answer)
VO: Your highest qualification?

Me: I am Btech in Electronics and Communication Engineering
VO: Your highest qualification?

Me: I am Btech in Electronics and Communication Engineering
VO: Passout year?

Me: 2016
VO: So you have been working since then. What was your position at the company?
Me: I was a software developer in my first company. Currently I am working as a senior software
developer.
VO: Good. How many universities you applied to? And how many admits?
Me: I applied to 4 universities. Got admit from 3 of them.
VO: How are you going to fund?

Me: Since I have been working for quite sometime, I have savings of around XX lakhs. Plus I
have taken an education loan. And if required my parents will support me.
VO: What does your parents do?

Me: My father is a civil engineer by profession. We have a construction firm. My mother is
housewife.
VO: Okay. Any idea about the annual turnover?

Me: Yes. XX lakhs amount.
VO: Can I see your loan approval letter?

Me: Passed
VO: Okay. So if you are not able to pay the loan back, how will the bank retrieve the amount(I
guess she asked this since it was a non-collateral loan from Prodigy)?
Me: The loan rate is only 7.66% with a monthly payment of around 500$ that too 6months post
graduation. So if incase I am not able to payback, I do have immovable assets worth around XX
crores.
VO: Okay.
*She kept typing *
VO: How are you going to quarantine yourself?

Me: I will be following 14day self quarantine rule. And would fly to US 15-20 days prior to
program start date.
*She kept typing *
VO: Okay your visa is approved. Please collect it within 4-5 days.
Me: Thank you so much mam.
Tips: Just be confident in what you are saying and it will be done. I was not expecting the 2nd
last question, but kept my calm and answered with confidence and that did the work.
👍
🙏
Best of luck to all.
And special thanks to this group for guiding me through this journey. You guys are awesome
--------------------------------------------------------------------------…
Visa Interview Experience*
Location:New Delhi
Appointment Date: 24 September 9:15 am
In Time: 8:45 am
Out Time: 9:05 am
Counter Number:1
😀
Visa Officer: White Male in his 30s
Status: Approved
Me: Good Morning Officer, how are you doing today?

VO: Good Morning, I am doing great. Please pass me your passport and I20
Me: Passed Here you go sir.
VO: What are you going to study in the US?
Me: Business Analytics at the Michigan State University starting in Spring 2021
VO: Why this course and University?
Me: Data is the next big thing in the world of technology and I am personally fond of working
with big amounts of data plus I am passionate about Mathematics in general so that's why I am
planning to pursue this course and Msu because it is highly ranked when it comes to MSBA plus
it has a practical curriculum where I get to do 2 Capstone projects during my course which give
me a sense of working on live project's for big corporates and also I am allowed to gain some
industrial experience by doing an internship in the summer.
VO: Great. What all Universities did you apply to?
Me: I applied to 14 Universities and got admit from 13 and 1 rejection. Do you want me to name
them?
VO: No I'm good. What do your parents do?
Me: My dad has his business based on transportation of goods across the country and my
mother is a homemaker.
VO: Why did you go to Europe multiple times?
Me: My last employer Sopra Steria had stationed me on our client site in Geneva, Switzerland
multiple times over the course of 6 months.
VO: Great so you already have a sense of harsh winters which you'll experience in Midwest.
Smiles
Me: Yes Sir
Vo: Who's funding your education.
Me: That would be me as I have an approved loan from Prodigy finance for XX USD and I have
my personal savings of about YY USD so ZZ USD in total which is way over my i20 amount.
VO: Great. Puts the passport in the basket I am approving your visa and keeping your passport.
You'll get it in 5 days from now maximum. Please follow the 14 day Quarantine rule once you
reach the US.
Me: Sure Sir I will and Thank you sir you made my day. I hope you have a great day ahead.
Vo: Thanks you too.
#Usabound 😀
------------------------------------------
US visa interview experience
Time slot: 8 am
Status: Approved
Consolate: Kolkata
Counter no : 6
VO was a beautiful lady in her early 30's
VO: Good morning

Me: Good morning
VO: Please pass me your passport and I-20

Me: Passed
VO: So, you are going for your PhD in chemistry in University of Pittsburgh.
Me: Yes, mam
VO: What research are you going to do there ?

Me: Explained
VO: Can you elaborate what is the application of this work?
Me: Explained
VO: So, I can see that you are fully funded.

Me: Yes. I have got a full scholarship and stipend too.
VO: Why is your highest degree of qualification?

Me: Masters degree
VO: Are you married?

Me: No
VO: Did you travel anywhere within last 15 days?

Me: No
VO: What will you do after your PhD?

Me: Answered
VO: How are you going to quarantine yourself?

Me: I will self quarantine myself for 14 days upon arrival.
VO: Congratulations, your visa has been approved. Collect your passport within 4-5 days.
Me: Thank you. Have a great day.
VO: Have a great day
I had no expressions of happiness while I was inside, might be because it took me time to digest
the approval but after I was out of the building, the first thing I did was to hug my mother
standing outside. Even though, many more milestones are there to achieve, still these small
little things means a lot in life.
--------------------------------
Visa experience:
Status:Approved
New Delhi
25 September
Questions asked:
What course are you going to study?

How many universities did you apply to?
Why this university did you decide?
(I had previously visited US so asked few questions on that)
How are you funding the education?
Father’s occupation?
Annual Income?
5-7 minutes total time spent at the counter.
Be confident and be loud and clear coz the mask may hinder
----------------------------------------------------.
Status:- Approved
Embassy:- New Delhi
Time and Date:- 25 September 2020, 9:15 a.m.
Session:- Spring 21
University:- Northeastern University (MS CS)
I went inside and was only the third person to go for interview for the day. They let everyone
who had slots from 8:30 to 9:15 inside the embassy first.
VO was male in late 20s early 30s.
VO:- Goodmorning
Me:- Goodmorning Sir.
VO:- Pass me your i20 and Passport

Me:- Proceeded to pass
VO:- What are you going to study.

Me:- Sir Computer Science.
VO:- Why Northeastern?

Me:- Answered
VO:- Who will finance your education?

Me:- Answered
VO:- What does your sponsor do for living?

Me:- Answered
He typed in few things for around a minute. Then said your Visa has been approved. Make sure
to check quarantine rules for the state you'll visit. I can collect passport withing a week from
VAC.
Total time:- 3-4 minutes including typing time
He never checked any of my other document apart from passport and i20.
Advise:- From what I've read and experienced, it's the same thing. Being confident in your
answers.
------------------------------------------------------------
Visa experience:
Date - 25/09/2020
Location - Mumbai
Visa time -11.40 AM
In time - 10.50 AM
Out time - 11.10 AM
Interview duration - 4-5 minutes
Interview questions:
1. Where are you going?
2. How many universities did you apply to?
3. Why this university?
4. Who's funding you?
5. What do your parents do?
6. Annual income?
7. Any relatives there? (My sister's a resident doctor there so asked about her)
8. How does she fund herself?
9. Do you know about the quarantine procedure? (Yes, I'll have to quarantine for 14 days once I
reach there)
10. How do you plan to quarantine yourself? (I'll have to find a house and quarantine myself
there)
11. Scan the fingerprints of your left hand.
He said your visa is approved and all the best.
Took my passport and gave a slip.

Overall documents asked: sevis receipt,passport,i20
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Visa experience
Place: chennai
Status: approved
Date: 25/9/20.
M: good afternoon mam.
V: good afternoon
V: pass me ur passport and i20.
V : what will u be doing at usf.
M: masters in business analytics and information system.
V: I see u have worked before.
M : yes, and explained about my work.
V: why change in stream now.
M: am passionate about data science, data science is relatively new to india, there are not
many experts here, so maters with specialization in data science will help me grow in my
professional career.
V: what is plan after masters.
M: if given an opportunity would like to utilize my opt period and work for a year or two to gain
practical knowledge and later come back to india and work here.
V: any other admits.
M : usf, utd , clark, curb, neu.
V: why not neu.
M: course and curriculum offered at usf is well structured, they also offer specialization in data
science which is of my interest. apart from that as part of my coursework I get to do capstone
project , which will help me gain practical knowledge in field of data science.
V : where will u stay and u neec to quarantine for 2 weeks.

M:I will be staying off campus, will follow all quarantine guidelines.
No question about finance was asked.
VO was very friendly ,kept smiling face.
------------------------------------------------
Visa experience:
Consulate: Mumbai
Date: 25/09/2020
Status: Approved
I went to counter 37 and he took my passport, SEVIS payment slip and I20 and after typing
something in his PC he turned everything back and a security guard asked me to go to another
counter, I thought it's all about taking and all, but suddenly the person behind the glass asked
why are you going to USA and this is when I realised it's "the interview"...
VO: where are you going to USA?

Me: I'm going to Arizona State University for MS
VO: how are you going to fund it? ( I didn't get it at first so said sorry and he repeated)
Me: I have taken loan of XX dollars and have savings of around YY dollars.
VO: How come you have this much savings?
Me: I'm working since 2017
VO: it's still too much...
Me: It's including my parents savings
VO: then you should tell that.
VO went inside and didn't come back for a while
VO: what does your parents do?

Me: My father works at XYZ as ABC and my mother is ABC.
VO: what's the combined income?
Me: Including me?
VO: No
Me: XX lakhs
VO: Any relatives in US
Me: No
VO: Are you going to quarantine yourself after going to US?
Me: Yes I'll go 15-20 days prior..( he stopped me)
VO: Where are you going to quarantine yourself ( I heard why are you going to quarantine
yourself LOL)
Me: (giving the explanation for why..)
VO: I said where are you going to quarantine yourself?
Me: I'll book a hotel
VO: your visa is approved, now leave! The expression with which he said so I felt like he said
your visa is not approved now leave.
Note: it was little bit confusing to hear from the speaker, I felt like VO is getting irritated but I kept
myself calm ( yes I was a bit nervous too) and gave answers..
Wasn't getting the feeling to share this kind of experience but as this group has helped me to
get answers of many doubts so I was obliged to do so.
I'm really thankful to people who shared their experience here.
------------------------------------------------------
VO: Good morning

Me:Good morning mam..
VO: Pass me your passport and i20 please.
Please remove your mask for a minute.
1) Why Computer Science?
2) How many universities you applied to?
3) How many admits?
Name them..
4) What after master's?
5) Who is sponsoring your education?
6) What do your parents do?
7) What is their combined annual income.?
8) Apart from the annual income do you have any savings.?
Me:(told)
9) Are you aware of the quarantine rules in the US?
Me: yes, that i have to self quarantine for 14 days.
VO: Good..
I'm approving your Visa..
Me: Thank you mam..(with excitement and smile)
VO: (smiled too)
Me: A second nod at her due to excitement..LOL
VO: Smiled and nods too..
-----------------------------------------------------
Sharing visa experience from Mumbai (forwarded from a friend) on 21 August:
Will you be quarantining in the US?
Did you travel internationally in the last 2 weeks?
Why did you choose this university?
What did you do in your bachelors?
When did you complete bachelors?
What have you been doing since then?
What have you been working as?
Did you write GRE or GMAT?
What is your score in GRE?
What are your plans after MS?
When was the last time you travelled internationally?
status:Approved
-------------------------------
Got my F1 Visa approved today at Kolkata Consulate
Was grilled over 3 points
1. Finances - Since I showed Prodigy loan letter, was asked what will happen if I don't pay it back.
2. Visit to Australia - had visited for 2 weeks for a car team event, was asked in detail about it.
3. Sibling - Although my elder sister is currently in Bangalore currently undergoing an internship at a
Biotech company and never been to US, was still asked in detail about her career.
Overall compared to other interview experiences I read in this group, I felt mine was a little weird. But,
anyways all is well if it ends well so :pray:.
-------------------------------------
Visa Appointment: Normal
Biometric: 21st Aug in Hyderabad
Interview: 24th Aug in Delhi
Interview Duration - 2 to 2.5 min
VO - Passport please
VO - Your I-20
Q1 - May I know for which visa you are applying for and why
Q2 - okie, you are going to **** university, I don't know why, I can see many people today for this
university, is there any reason for that (before me some other people went with same university)
Q3 - Tell me a bit about your background
VO: Please remove your mask for identification..,, taken my fingerprints as well
VO - Do you have SEVIS receipt with you
Q4 - Why information systems

Q5 - Why this Uni
Q6 - What are other universities you applied for
Q7 - Do you have scholarship
Q8 - May I know why don't have scholarship ( I said no to Q7, so he asked me reason)
Q9 - Is your university offering online or in person classes
Q10 - Who is finding for your education
VO - Ok, I am approving your visa. Show your I-20 and SEVIS receipt at Immigration and make sure you
follow all the quarantine rules given by your university
-----------------------------------
Visa experience
Place : Chennai
Status : Approved
Date : 21/09/2020
V : visa officer
S : student
S : Good morning ma'am

V : Good morning sir
V: Please pass me your passport, i20 & Sevis fee

S : yes ma'am, passed
V: did you ever travel to states before ?

S: yes
V: pass me your valid visa passport (old passport)

S: passed
V: When did u graduate ?

S: 2017 June
V: what were you doing since then ?

S: working
V: why do u want to pursue masters?

S: to gain technical expertise in the field of data science and move up the ladder professionally
V: why santa clara?

S: flexible program, many options for specialisation
V: what are the other universities you applied ?

S: IUb, USC, USF, NEU & SCU
V: how many acceptance ?

S: 2
V: what will do after masters ?

S : come to India and work ?
V : sorry ?
S: come to India and work in Bengaluru
V : sir, i see you have started 1st sem and how are the classes going on ? (Curious how she found it out )
S : yes, just finished my orientation on sept 15
V: passed a slip and said your visa is approved !
S : thank you ma'am
-------------------------------------------
Visa experience (APPROVED)

Place : Mumbai
Date : 24/09/2020
Overall time -15mins
S : Hello Sir, Good morning

V: passport
S : Yes Sir
V:Why Usa?
S:Told
V: Why this university you have selected?

S: Told the course which I got in this university relevant to my previous experience.
V:Tell me University location?

S:Told
V: How Many universities you have applied

S: Told Applied 5 universities
V:How many admitts you got?

S:4
V:Tell me University's names?

S:Told
V:Again asked why not this University only this?

S:Told

S: No
V:Do you have any friends

S:No
V:you worked for Accenture

S:yes
V: Where is your College?

S:Told
V: Is it in Hyderabad ?
S:yes
S: My is father is sponsoring my education
V: What does your father do?

S: Told.
V:Again asked what he will be doing there?

S: explained clearly.
V: What is the annual income

S: Told
V: How much funds you have?

S: Told about bank balance
V: Its not sufficient for your education

S: No sir, i have sufficient funds for 2 years studies.
V: Show me your I-20

S: Here it is and passed the I-20, Seen the amount on I-20
V:Do you know about US quarantine rules

S:yes Sir,I have to self quarantine for 15 days.
V:How will you manage quarantine.

S:I have spoke one of the senior he will make all arrangements.
V:how did you find senior?

S: Through Facebook.
V: Through Facebook!
S:yes sir
V:Remove your gloves?

S: Removed
V: Sanitize your hands

S:Yes sir
V: please scan fingerprints of your left hand

🤗
V: Your visa is approved (and then he handed me a receipt)
S: Thank you Sir, You made my day
*Overall documents asked*: Sevis fee receipt, passport, I-20.
---------------------------------------------------
Visa Experience
Date: 28th Sept 2020

Consulate: Mumbai
Status : Approved
Duration 4 minutes
1. Have you been to the US before?

2. How many universities did you apply to and other admits?
3. Tell me something about the program
4.How will you fund your education and what does parents do?
5. Quarantine plans
------------------
Status= Approved
Consulate= Mumbai
University= UT Arlington
Duration 10-12 minutes
Q1) Have you ever been to us before?
Asked for my GRE scorecard
Q2) Why you didn't apply in fall 2020 Online?
Q3) How many admits you got?
Q4) Who is going to sponsor your education?
Q5) What is their annual income?

-------
Visa Experience
University of Cincinnati
Consulate: Chennai
Slot: 12:00
Status: Approved
VO was a lady in her early 30's
Me: Good afternoon mam! How are u doing today? ( With a big smile)
VO: Smiled back and told I am doing good. Please pass me ur I20 and passport
Me: Passed
VO: So u are doing masters in computer and information sciences....
Me: <interupted her > and said yes mam with specialization in data science
Vo: Did u do ur under graduation in computer science?
Me : Yes mam I completed my bachelor's in computer science in 2018
Vo: what have you been doing since then?
Me: told I have been working
Vo: Why masters now?
Me: Told
Vo: why this university ? And did u get any other admits
Me: told
<<<Akward silence and tying for a long time>>>
Vo: what are ur plans for quarantine?
Me: I planning to quarantine myself in a hotel.
Vo: while booking the airline tickets make sure to go through the guidelines properly. I am approving ur
visa!
Me: Thank you so much Mam! U have made my day and ran from there :joy:
----------------------
Visa experience
Place : Chennai
Date: Sept28, 9.30am
Note : Was called inside entry gate arnd 9.20am. But actual interview took place arnd 10.30. arnd 1hr
delay from actual appointment time. Was made to wait till then in a line.
Questions asked :
1. Why this college and course?
2. Other colleges applied and admitted
3. Source of funding
4. Where are you planning to quarantine?
5. In what route are you planning to travel?
6. Have you travelled to any other countries so far?
Docs asked : i20 and Passport.
Visa approved!! It took less than 5 mins.

--------------------------
My visa experience
Spring ‘21
Date - 28th September
Location- Hyderabad
Time -8:15 Am
Status - Approved
( and University of central Missouri )
Good Morning, pass me your i20

I see that you can worked for some social service club.
Do you get any money from that ?
So why industrial technology?
How are you going to fund your education ?
What do your sponsor do ?
Do you have any brother or sister ?
What does she do ?
What are your undergraduate favorite subjects ?
Scanned finger prints.
Okay, I’m approving your visa have a good stay in United States
--------------
F1 Visa experience
Place : Mumbai
Status : Approved
Date : 23/09/2020
V : visa officer
S : student
(I removed my mask since my glasses were foggy and he asked me not to remove my mask ...so
removed glasses)
S : Good morning Officer

V: Please pass me your passport
S : yes sir, passed
V: Where are you planning to study ?

S: I will be studying at California State University, Chico.
V: What will you study there?

S: I will be studying my Masters in Computer Science
V: You have mentioned your intended period of stay as 5 years in DS160, why is it so?
S: Currently I am focusing on my Master studies and depending on the guidance that I get from my
professors, I will make all further decisions. I mentioned 5 years since the F1 Visa is granted for 5 years.

S: No, I do not have any relatives in the US.

S: My father will sponsor my education
V: What does he do?

S: Mentioned all the details

V: please scan fingerprints of your right hand
V: Congratulations, your visa is approved, I will keep your passport (and then he handed me a receipt)
S: Thank you Officer, Have a nice day and take care
V: Have a nice stay in the US

S : Yes, thanks
*Suggestion*: be prepared with your documents and answers and be confident

--------------------------
Location: Hyderabad Appointment time: 11 Status: Approved
For San Jose State University - Software Engineering
My passport and I-20 were handed over to VO by a representative
Me: Good morning Mam
VO: Good Morning, (she was looking into I-20) ..so San Jose State University right? How many other
schools did you apply to ? ( I heard it as what scores did you get and asked if she meant gre score? Then
she repeated the question again)
Me: 4
VO: Which universities
Me: UNT,UTA,UTD, SJSU ( gave full forms)
VO: All 3 from Texas and then San Jose? Why?
Me: The courses in these universities are related to my area of interest
VO: what is your area of interest
Me: I want to Specialize in subjects of software engineering like enterprise distributed systems and
application development
VO: what's distributed systems
Me: All enterprises , for example to manage their financial or project related aspects maintain systems
and software components. To learn about the data transmission,
transactions,data maintenance and performance aspects of such systems. ( I fumbled here and there and
may have said some additional points ,but outline was this)
VO: who is going to sponsor you
Me: I have secured education loan and my parents are sponsoring and have savings in my account
VO: what does your father do
Me: He worked for XXX Automobiles as Branch manager and after retirement started freelance consulting
in automobiles and insurance
VO: what is his annual income
Me: xx lakhs per annum
VO: So you have to mostly rely on education loan as the income is low?
Me: But he has savings of about xxx USD from previous work experience
VO: Ooh
VO: so you have any relatives / siblings in US
Me: yes my sister stays there
VO: what is she doing
Me: she is on H4 , currently on a break
VO: I am approving your visa, please take care of this i-20 ( kept passport with her and passed back i-20
Me: Thank you Mam
---------------------------------------
Got my Visa Approved.

Questions asked:
1. What is your study plans?
2. Which all university did you apply for?
3. Why NYU?
4. Who is funding your finances?
5. Are you currently working?
6. What did you do after your graduation?
Super chill guys.

Literally nothing to stress about if you have your documents right and remember that you're going to NYU.
This is just to boost your confidence.
They don't ask you for anything other than I-20 and passport.
------------------------------------------
Questions asked.
Study plans. NYU. Wow.

Where did you do your undergraduate from? Wow.
Where did you work at? Wow.
I hope you're fully funded? Yep, that's right. Nice.
Any international travel in the recent months? Nope, just domestic. Hyderabad to Mumbai.
All right then. Have a nice day.
------------------------------------
Guys Visa approved at Delhi Consulate.
Questions asked:
What are you going to study?
Why this course?
Why NYU?
Other than scholarship how are you going to fund your education?
How many colleges did you apply to?
What does your parents do?
Where does your father work?
Have you ever been to any other country?
------------------------------
Visa approved at Delhi consulate
Questions :
What program are you joining ?
Why this program ?
What do you want achieve by studying this program ?
Who's sponsoring ?
Parents occupation
Then about earlier US visits
----------------------------
Got my visa approved today.
Location -Mumbai
Question:
Why NYU
How r u planning ua quarantine & stay
Which all universities u hv applied
Type of course
Who is sponsoring
When did u complete ur graduation
Is this course related to ua job experience
Apart from NYC which location u r interested in?
---------------------------------
Got visa Approved at Delhi Consulate
Which college?
Which programme?
Why this this programme?
What was your GRE?
What do you think was weak part in your GRE?
What was your Undergrad CGPA and Major?
How will you fund your education?
What do your parents do ?
---------------------
😂
Got visa approved in Delhi
I was lucky to get the best counter
Question 1: what are your study plans?
Question 2: Why NYU?
Question 3: How are you funding yourself?
Question 4: Oh, is the loan fully approved?
------------------------
My Interview Experience
Status: Approved
Location: Delhi
Appointment Time: 11 AM
Finished the process by 9:15 AM
Questions asked:
Which program?
How many languages do you speak?
Have you ever visited the states?
Any siblings?
Who's sponsoring you?
Took my fingerprints. They weren't getting recognized so he asked me if I had any fingerprints or not.
Done.
When I was giving him my I-20 and SEVIS, he saw that the sheets are covered in plastic. He was like "It's
good that you're protected"
Then he goes "Nice eyelashes. I'm approving your Visa. Good luck. Stay safe"
------------------------------
Got visa approved
Location: Chennai
Questions
Why nyu ?
When did you graduate?
Who is funding your studies?
What are your quarantine plans
------------------------
Visa Approved: Hyderabad
Documents checked : i20 and passport
Which branch are you going for?
What’s ur undergrad branch?
Undergrad %?
What’s ur gre score?
Who is sponsoring?
What do ur dad do?
What are you doing now ?
Which company?
Did you travel to any other country in the past 14 days?
---------------------------------
US Visa Approved : Mumbai
Questions asked :
Which campus of NYU ? Brooklyn ?
Which universities did you apply to ?
Why NYU ?
Which course ?
How is NYU's course different than other universities ?
How are you going to fund ?
What does your father do ?
How many people work in your father's company ?
Are you planning quarantine ?
Very friendly officers & staff.
Advice :
Be yourself. Polite and Respectful
Don't fake anything.
Purpose of visiting US should be articulate
😄
---------------------------------------------------
Visa approved today..
Place: Mumbai
Questions:
Which university?
What course?
What will you do with this degree?
Few other questions related to course..
How are you planning to fund?
What does family do?
----------------------
Visa Experience
Status : Approved
Place : Chennai
VO was in his 50-60s and was Indian.
Me : Good Morning
VO : Good Morning. Which visa have you applied for ?
Me : Student visa F1
VO : So, you are going to the university of spoiled children!!
Me : laughs, University of Southern California sir :p
VO: Computer Engineering is it?
Me : I’m going to pursue COmputer Science with Computer Networks specialization.
VO : You’ve already been to US. What was the purpose of your visit?
Me : I went to US for the Business conference from Microsoft.
VO: so you are working with Microsoft, still working ?
Me : Yes sir.
VO : What is NIE ( my undergrad college )
Me : It’s an engineering college from which I did my Bachelors in Information Science and Engineering
VO : How many branches it has ( he got confused with NIT)
Me : Answered
VO : So, it doesn’t have branch in Warangal ?
Me: Those are NITs sir. National Institute of Technology . I studied from NIE, National Institute of
Engineering
VO : So, is it different?
Me: Yes sir
VO : Are you single or married?
Me : I’m single sir
VO : What was your GRE score and undergrad GPA
Me : Answered
VO : How are you funding ?
Me : Me and my father have savings of xx lakhs and also I’ve loan approved from Prodigy for xx lakhs.
VO : What does your father do
Me : Veterinary Doctor
VO: Do you know the quarantine rules?
VO : Yes sir. I’ll be self quarantining myself for 14 days and planned to go some 20 days prior to the
course start date. I’m planning to stay in the university housing.
VO : Did you travel to any other country this year?
Me : No sir
VO : Are you planning to travel or directly to US?
Me: I’ll directly travel to the US sir.
VO : okay, then you don’t require to follow any special instructions. Your visa is been approved. All the
best for your studies at the University of spoiled children.
Me: (laughed again) Thank you sir. Have a great day.
(PS: He was chill and kept on typing a lot. Asked all these questions in some 20s intervals. Seemed like
he was bored and wanted to have some chilled convo :p
I had prepared to talk so much about the university and the course, didn’t ask much :D)
--------------------------------------------------------------
Hey I got my VISA APPROVED
Date: 30 September 2020
Location: Hyderabad
Time : 9:45
VO was an Indian American he was looking a lil intimidating
Asked me literally 3 questions
Q1. Why Management
Q2. I see u have been to the USA before
Q3. What do u want to be after coming to India?
Q4. Who is sponsoring?
And he said ok VISA APPROVED!!
I was shocked I asked him sir give me the green slip:joy:

He said Mam that is for rejected candidates your’s is approved
So please leave
Chennai Consulate
30th September 2020
Time- 9:30am
Which university
Why this university
Have you been to US
When did you go?
How many university did you apply to?
What are they ?
What will you do after completing your course?
How will pay for your education
What’s your father doing
His annual income
Do you anyone who went to this university
Where you’re gonna stay there
Okay your visa has been approved
Please do a lot of research about the university and the place and be confident and greet
them properly
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chennai Consulate
28th September 2020
Time- 10:30am
Did you travel anywhere recently?

Why this university ?
How many universities did you apply to?
What are they ?
Why not other universities?
You've graduated in xx ...why masters now?
How will you quarantine ?
How are you going to travel?(She wants to know my travel itinerary)
Ans:I didn't plan it yet.
Will you travel through Europe or direct flight?
Ans: I'm planning to book direct flights Delhi-->Newyork-->Tampa
Okay, your visa has been approved !
What I learnt:
DON'T be nervous...( I was tensed a lot , forgot few points:see_no_evil:)
We have to be confident and maintain eye contact.
If elaborating - should be less than 3-4 sentences.
Finally,only answer to the point and don't give extra details unless they ask.
---------------------------------------------
Got my VISA Approved today
Consulate: Delhi
Time:09:30 AM
Entered at 8:45 AM
VO - Please pass your i-20 and passport.
I will be back shortly.
Please remove your mask.
VO- Have you been to the USA before?
VO- Have I interviewed you before?
VO - What course you did in your bachelor's?
VO- Which course at UTD?
VO- What's the course duration?
VO- Do you have any friends or relatives at USA?
VO - Who is sponsoring you?
VO - What does your father do?
VO- What all admits you had?
VO- Why not UCSB and why UTD?
VO - What are the quarantine rules at your university?
Congratulations, I'm approving your visa. Make sure to carry your i-20 at the immigration counter and
follow all quarantine rules.
VO was an Indo-American guy in his mid 40's. Was pretty chilled.
---------------------------
Consulate: New Delhi
Date: 29/09/2020
Status: Approved
I took out my passport and I-20 before reaching to the counter. When I went to the counter she took my
passport and I20 and after typing something in her PC. After few seconds she started asking
questions.......
VO: where are you going to USA?

Me: I'm going to University at Albany, SUNY
VO: for which course you are going?
Me: PhD. Biology
VO: Have you given GRE?
Me: Yes
VO: What is your score?
Me: answered the score.
VO: In which all universities did you applied?
Me: I applied in total 8 universities and got acceptance from 3 universities.
VO: put you left hand fingers for biometric
Me: I did
VO: your visa is approved, youbl can collect it after one week
Me: Thank you so much
My interview appointment was at 9:45 am morning and I entered the embassy at 9:20 am. I have been
waiting till 10:00 am and at 10:05 am interview got over.
I think that the nervousness is obvious at that moment but interview has to be given in very calm mood
with confidence. If you are confident then there is no need to worry. There is no need to panic. Everything
went so cool and smooth.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey guys, I need your serious help whoever can help me figure out what's wrong in my profile and
how should I improve it before next Visa interview:
Also, people who are sharing their experiences are all whose visa have gotten approved, but if you
ask me within all my visits to Visa Interview centre, I have seen candidates who are getting rejected
frequently also, so its a myth that everybody who applied for fall 2020 visa got approvals. The
percentage ratio may lie around 65-35% for approval and rejection respectively.
Visa Interview Attempt 1:
Location: Delhi Embassy
Date: 24th August 2020
I was having an afternoon slot, while my other friends were having early morning slots, so they went
early and then called me up saying that their interview is already done as officers are taking
interviews before time only, so they asked me to come early irrespective of slot. I went directly inside
after security checks and then to the Interview Counter as soon as I entered the US Embassy, there
was no waiting queue. Because of this sudden hurry I became little nervous.
VO: Good Morning
Me: Good Morning sir

VO: Pass me your I-20 n passport
Me: Yeah sure
VO: When did you went to the Vac?
Me: Pardon me, could you please repeat sir
(Again second time he told the same, I misheard the Vac as Bank, so i said I went a month ago, but I
asked him again as I was confused why will he ask about bank at the start itself, then he said VAC in
abbreviations, I replied I went for it yesterday)
VO: Seems like your Biometrics haven't got updated yet, can you just come up here again
Me: yeah sure
(He asked me to keep the hand on machine
I kept the right first as he didn't mentioned, he passed a wierd reaction n then finally did the whole
biometrics)
(I knew the first impression wasn't good but still tried to not loose my cool and prepared my mind to
be calm and confident)
VO: So which Visa you are going for?
Me: I have applied for a F1 visa.
VO: Why are you going to US?
Me: I am going to pursue Master of Science in Computer Science at XYZ University.
VO: How many universities did you applied to?
Me: I applied to 6 universities
VO: (nodded to carry on)
Me: (told all names)
VO: Okay why this university?
Me: The CS program at this university has been ranked at 50th Position by cs ranking, and it is the
largest university in Virginia...
VO: (interrupted me) Tell me something different..
Me: The CS coursework is flexible enough to allow me to choose courses of my interest..
VO: (again interrupted) So other universities don't have flexible program?

Me: Actually, in this university I can choose subjects related to my specialization.. the coursework is
of 30 credits n I can choose....(explained about the coursework) Also I have gone through research
work of A and B professor and I liked that so much.
VO: How are you going to finance your education?
Me: (asked to repeat) then told
I have taken an education loan of $47k from Prodigy Finance for first year and my father is also
sponsoring me with the $15k. ( The total amount was around 1.4 times the I-20 amount for 1 year
which is $50k) and also I have got an pre approved loan of $47k for the second year.
VO: What does your father do?
Me: He has retired from the government bank after serving 35 years there and he gets a pension of
XX.
VO: (2mins of typing)
Unfortunately I can't approve your visa this time!
Note: I realised that I was sounding as if I have prepared all the answers and just telling them fluently
without any stop in front of Visa. So I improved on my tone so that it sounds more natural and real.
And also I modified the 'why this university' specific answer to be more practical.
Visa Interview Attempt 2:
Location: Delhi Embassy
This time I went super early to avoid last minute hustle and get relaxed before interview.
It was a early morning slot they asked us to sit and wait for some time around 45 mins, I and another
person were the first to go to the counters. The same previous officer was standing just in the next
counter for which the other person went.
Me: Good Morning Ma'am
VO: Good Morning
Pass me your documents

Me: yeah sure(passed)
VO: Looks like your Biometrics haven't got updated yet. Do you have a passport size
photograph with you?
Me: Yeah I do have..(given)
(Took fingerprints again)
VO: Okay so why are you going US?
Me: I am going to US to pursue Master of Science in Computer Science at XYZ University
VO: Why this university?
Me: The CS coursework at this university aligns with the area of my Interest which is
Machine Learning. And I am impressed by the reasearch work done by professor X and Y,
thus want to study under them in future. Also the h-index of cs faculty is excellent.
VO: Have you considered any other universities?
Me: I have got admits in 2 other universities
VO: Okay then why not them?
Me: Those universities were not offering me machine learning as specialisation and in the
third University I didn't got admit in my desired program, they offered me M Eng in which
we need to complete 30 credits within a year and again machine learning specialisation
wasn't there. And I didn't wanted to loose grades because of hurrying up things.
(I was optimistic that I will get visa this time she was looking happy with my replies and I
was saying things confidently with natural tone and without mumbling)
VO: What are you doing since graduation?
(I asked her to repeat that)
Me: I have been working from 2 years at Cognizant as a programmer analyst and ..(told
about job)
VO: seems like your Visa got rejected a few days ago
Me: Yeah
VO: so what have changes have you made this time?
Me:(I wasn't expecting this question, I prepared for if VO asks for the reason of rejection but
didn't prepared for this at all)
I have updated my profile and researched about my university so that i can know my
course well.
VO:(within seconds) Sorry I can't approve your visa this time also.
Me: Officer, can you please tell the reason for that?
VO: sorry I can't tell, just read this slip carefully before applying again (passed 214b)
Me: Okay thank you.
I seriously don't know what could have went wrong in this second attempt.
I knew I had flaws in first attempt but this second attempt was more devastating as I don't
even know the reason for rejection.
Visa interview Attempt 3:
Location: Mumbai Consulate
Date: 3rd September 2020
I was really cool this time because I knew chances of getting approval are so low, but I just
wanted to give a try at a different location which is Mumbai as few days ago a person got
Visa approval for the same university same course. Also, I already resigned from my
previous job and started taking online classes and submitting assignments but after 2
rejections, I thought if I start online this fall and got rejected in spring again then this whole
semester would be waste as online classes may not be there in spring so i may need to
drop also, so its better to give another try. So, just wanted to try the luck, also I talked with
counsellor he told me to say my both parents are working (and to mention that my father
joined this private company/business after retirement if VO asks) and show increased
savings, but I can't just double or triple savings amount because VO may get doubtful about
it as within same week how did I arranged this much money. Okay, so here is how it went:
The number of candidates in Mumbai were little less as compared to Delhi. And even the
process was smoother than Delhi. Also the speakers are better than Delhi embassy as they
are top mounted which enables better hearing unlike in Delhi where they have placed a
small box near the counter window. The VO on counter, for which I was about to go, just
rejected a guy however he told very good answers and even with confidence. Then came
the turn of a girl, and she answered that she chose this university because it gives her
practical knowledge and, the VO cross questioned her ohh other universities are giving
practical knowledge, then she replied saying not more than my university.
Then she asked some finance questions and approved! I was confused but at the same
time I was chilled whatever happens.
VO: Nodded me to come forward and wished Good Morning
Me: Good Morning Ma'am
VO: How are you doing?
Me: I am good officer, how about you?
VO: Okay pass me your documents
Me: Yeah, here they are..
VO: So why are you going for this university?
Me: I am going to pursue Master of Science in Computer Science.
VO: Okay so why this university?
Me: The CS coursework at this university aligns with the area of my interest which is
Machine Learning and Graphics....(told about there is one professor who is conducting
research in same field on which I worked in my previous Job but my skills weren't enough
to handle whole project, so that's why want to study under him and enhance my skill to join
my previous job at higher level in India.)
VO: Okay so how many universities did you applied to?
Me: I applied to 6 and got admit in 3
VO: Okay what are they?
Me: University of..... And University of....
VO: Could you repeat the name slowly?
Me: (this time clearly n slowly)
VO: Okay so why did you applied to only these universities of all in the US?
Me: Actually these universities are offering some great courses in Machine Learning as I
want to specialize in that.
VO: Okay, which year did you passed out?
Me: 2018
VO: and what are you doing since then?
Me: I have been working in Cognizant as Programmer Analyst on Machine learning project
from 2 years using Java, python.
VO: How are you going to finance your education?
Me: My both parents would be sponsoring my education and I have taken an education
loan also.
VO: What did you parents do?
Me: My father owns a textile business and my mother is a landlady who gives house on
lease to tenants.(actually its bit true my family have a textile business mainly run by my
uncle and we do lease house also)
VO: How much they earn?
Me: Their combined salary is 15lakhs per annum.
VO: Okay and how much savings do you have?
Me: We have 20 lakhs of savings.
VO: What are your plans after MS?
Me: I would like to come back to India and join my previous job at a higher level so that I
can handle whole project on my own.( I should have told I will utilise 1 year of opt then
come back but it just went in flow)
VO: (2 mins of typing... I crossed my fingers down the counter, the interview went so good,
I answered all questions confidently and to the point, so I was literally thinking I will get it
this time)
VO: So let me tell you some rules...( I thought she is going to talk about quarantine rules
after going there and she is approving Visa but I kept a break on my thought..)
So actually we check the overall profile of the candidate before giving Visa and your overall
profile doesn't qualifies the eligibility, so I can't approve your Visa this time.
Me: (fully disappointed even after having such a great interview) Okay, officer could you
please tell any specific reasons for this?
VO: So as I told we look for overall profile of candidate, and in your case you don't seem
eligible right now, moreover you can go through this slip once.
Me: Okay, Thank you officer.

Don't know what could have went wrong this time! The only thing which came in my mind
was may be because of savings, although I told her about education loan but she didn't
asked me the amount of loan which is already covering my whole I-20 amount of 1 year. I
thought I should have mentioned that even when she didn't asked. I thought I should have
told her that i have already started taking online classes so that she thinks that I am
dedicated about study only. At last I couldn't have doubled or triples my savings, so next
time I am thinking to do it and have all documents.
Guys, anything else which you suggest I should be improving to get my visa approved? I
need your real help to get started with my education there. And please don't react with
laugh as its not good to do so over somebody's helplessness.
Can anyone of you help in figuring out the reasons, what could have went wrong and what
should I do before reapplying.
What they exactly want from me to update in profile, in second attempt they haven't even
asked for finance else I could have added more funding. Should I mention about house
property of around 60 lakhs also? If yes what all documents would be needed as a proof?
The university is good, haven't heard a single rejection in many years, all say I should have
got visa with this. Considering all this I left online classes and deferred my admission after
3 continuous rejections.
---------------------------------------------------------
No docs were asked except passport!
F1 visa interview
Location: Chennai consultate
Date:30-sep-2020
vo: passport
vo:which university?
vo: why this university?
vo:did you get any scholarship?
vo:what is your highest degree?

vo: undergraduate completed in which university?
vo:who is funding your education?
vo:what are they doing and their annual income?
vo:are going to US by direct flight (or) by Europe (or) Dubai?
vo:what are quarantine plans?
Finally golden words "your visa has approved"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F1 visa interview
Status: Approved
Location: Chennai consultate
Date:30-sep-2020
Duration 6-7 mins.
vo: passport
vo:which university?
vo: have u recently traveled to any country?
vo:how many universities u applied?
vo:what is your gre score
vo:how many admits?
vo:why u have chosen Texas colleges?(because all my 3 colleges were from Texas)
vo:what is ur sister doing?
vo: grauduation year and UG location?
vo:who is ur sponsor?
vo: what is father doing and annual income?
Vo:do u have any property?
vo:Are u going to travel anywhere before going to US?
vo: plans after graduation?
---------------------------------------------------
Visa Experience
Date : 30th September, 9:00 AM
Consulate: Chennai
Visa Status : Approved
Course : Ph.D. Materials science and Engineering, The Ohio State University
VO: Good Morning
Me: Good Morning
VO: Pass on your Passport (saw the sticker at the back which was pasted at VAC and went
through the stamps)
VO: Pass your I-20
VO : Where are you going in the U.S?
Me: Ohio state university
VO: Specialization?
Me: PhD Materials science and Engineering
VO: Where did you do your Masters?
Me: I have not done Masters. I graduated from NIT Tiruchirappalli with Bachelor's degree.
VO: Why OSU?
Me: Explained my research interests align well and Moreover, OSU has a very strong
Materials science program
VO: What research you will be doing
Me: Told
VO: Plans after Doctorate?
Me: Prof at IISc or IIT
VO: Who is funding you?
Me: University is funding me
VO: Complete Scholarship?
Me: Yes.
VO : When did you go to Germany?
Me: Last Summer
VO: Have you traveled anywhere else after that?
Me: No
VO: Will you be traveling somewhere before going to US
Me: No
VO: Will you be quarantining on arrival to US?
Me: Yes
VO : How?
Me: I will arrive 15 days before the start date and home quarantine
VO: In ohio?
Me: Yes
Typed for long time. Went out and asked someone at the back for something
She asked for my fingerprints and searching for something and pulled out a Green slip and
told your Visa is approved , That is all for today.
-----------------------------------
*VISA INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE*
I reached the consulate at 9:10 am and I'd my phone with me because everyone told me
there is a counter outside the embassy to submit the phones and bags. I reached the
counter but it was closed because recently one phone got stolen or misplaced. So I
requested the military guards to take my phone for 20-25 min but they were refusing at first
but I told them that I've an appointment scheduled at 9:30am and travelled all the way from
Lucknow so they did. First I've gone through a security check then they told me to move to
the hall where the benches were placed and they asked us to sit in a row wise manner at
that point of time I was really nervous because I was first in the queue. Then they called the
first row which was mine and ask us to enter in the embassy where the counters are. I went
inside and there were interviews going on. we were asked again to take a seat and come by
one for the interview.
Visa Experience
Timings: 9:30 am
Consulate: New Delhi
Date: 28th September for VAC & 29th September for Visa Interview
Status: Approved
VO was a bald guy at counter no. 8 and he gave me time to explain myself at every
question.
Me: Good morning Sir!
VO: Good morning! Pass me your passport and I- 20 please
Me: I gave him my Pass and I- 20
VO (Started Typing): Why are you going to UIC?
Me: I am going to pursue my MS in Medical Biotechnology.
VO (Still Typing): Why UIC?
Me: It offers me a program which is really flexible in terms of 1 year coursework and 2nd
year Research Project/Coursework with internship. It's a research oriented program with
various core electives to choose so It also allows me to tailor the program according to my
research interest.
VO (Stopped Typing): How many Universities you applied to?
Me: I applied to three Universities which are UTD, ASU and UIC. (~Tell the full name of the
universities) and I got admits from ASU and UIC
Vo: Great! What are you going to do in medical biotechnology?
Me: I explained him about my past research experiences and further I want to focus on my
research career in the field of cancer biology and gene editing.
VO: Have you ever been outside of your country?
Me: No
VO: Do you have any relatives in USA?
Me: No
VO: Who's sponsoring you?
Me: I have taken an education loan of amount xx lacs and my father is also going to
sponsor me for my education.
Vo: What does your father do?
Me: He is working as xx post in xx Bank, which is a government bank.
Vo: Place your left hand fingers.
Me: Done
VO: Do you know about the quarantine rules?
Me: yes sir! 14 days quarantine on arrival.
VO: Good! I'm approving your visa. Wish you all the best.
Me: (With a very big smile) Thank you so much and Have a great day!
It went so smooth and I wasn't expecting this because I had a gap year but I was very well
prepared for it. He didn't asked me for my gre or any other documents other than passport
and I-20. All I want to say keep looking at VO and answer in a very confident manner.
Pro Tip~ Idk who started this to wear formals during the visa interview but anyways I believe
wear what you can carry don't sweat it out there wear comfortable clothes (not the party
wears and funky one's) look decent. I was wearing a jeans and a shirt with white sneakers.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visa Experience:
My visa was approved on 22nd September, 2020 at Mumbai Consulate Office, at 11:10 am.
Advice: Ensure that you show 2 times the I20 amount as financial backing, when Visa
Officer asks you how you're going to fund your education.
I am going to fund my own education, through personal savings from the company I was
working at, for the past three years, Scholarship from Narottam Sekhsaria Foundation, and
Loan Sanction Letter. I didn't show any family funds, and yet, my visa is approved.
Questions asked:
1. Your Undergrad degree? - Chemical Engineering.
2. Why are you shifting from Chemical Engineering to Industrial Engineering? - I had learnt
ML and Operations Research at my undergrad college, and at BPCL, I was working on a
couple of data-driven projects. I realized that OR/ML can be applied in the chemical
industry. Since there is a gap between the knowledge that I have and the knowledge that
the MS has to offer, (VO cuts me in between)
3. What is your father's income? - xx lakh per annum. (It's very low. VO asked me how
you're going to fund my education, if it's too low. I was like, fir, pucha hi kyun? Sidha puchta,
how're you going to fund your MS?)
4. How're you going to fund your education? - I told him about Scholarship of xx lakh from
NSF. (VO asked for proof - handed him the email copy from NSF. Finally, serious se normal
ho gaya wo and I continued) -- my savings of yy lakh at BPCL, and the loan sanction letter
from HDFC Credila of zz lakh. Total amount (xx+yy+zz) is more than twice the I20 amount.
VO: Your visa is approved.
My profile:
GRE: 320 (V: 153, Q: 167, AWA: 4.5)

TOEFL: 108
CGPA: 8.72
Strong SOP.
3 Strong LORs.
Internship: Research internship at IISc, Bangalore, Industrial internship at BPCL.
Work experience: 2 years and 5 months, while applying. BPCL, Mumbai refinery.
Undegrad degree: Chemical Engineering from Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai.
Universities that I applied to:
Admits:
Purdue: MS in IEOR
UMich Ann Arbor: MS in IOE
UIUC: MS in IE, with concentration in Analytics
NCSU: MS in OR
Rejects:
UPenn: MS in Data Science.
GaTech: MS in OR.
Columbia University: MS in OR.
University of Wisconsin Madison: MS in IE
USC: MS in ORE.
UC, Berkeley: MS in IEOR
UCLA: MS in Business Analytics.
I have decided to go to UIUC, for the Spring term in 2021.
I will be happy to connect with anyone with a UIUC admit for Spring 2021.
I am creating a WhatsApp Group for UIUC admits for Spring 2021. This group is for all the
programs.
Please DM me on this account or at Omkar Mehta, and I will add you to the group. Spring
2021 walonke liye hi hai, taki flights, housing aur baki help dekh sake.
Cheers to everyone! Ask me anything, anytime for all the help you need. I have found this
group very useful. Congratulations to all your admits!
PS: The visa interview lasted for 45 seconds. VO was a bald guy.
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Date: 21st August 2020

ME : I greeted the VO with Good Morning and smile.

Kept on typing. Tense moment no more questions.

F-1 VISA Interview at Kolkata (Emergency Slot) [Counter 6]:

V.O. : Middle-aged guy (pretty muscular).

Me : Good morning, sir.

V.O. : Sorry,missed you. Which are the Universities again?

Interview Duration - 2 to 2.5 min

Q4 - Why information systems

Me: good morning ma'am

VO: Masters in Computer Science?

VO: and you also have a scholarship..congratulations

VO:what do your parents do

VO: when did you complete your engineering

VO: what were you doing since then

(She typed something , scanned my passport twice..looked worried)

(She went somewhere for 10 minutes, came back with someone)

VO: goto counter no.2

VO: hand me your passport and I-20

VO: I am approving your Visa

I wasnt asked to remove my mask and didn't confirm the identity.

Didn't ask for any financial documents.

My Biometrics was at 11:30

Status: F1 Visa approved.

By this time I started having all the negative thoughts.

VO: Who is sponsoring your visa?

After a pause and looking suspiciously at the system..

VO: Congratulations Prateek! I am approving your visa.

And I turned was like WHAT JUST HAPPENED !!

~1 to 1:30 minutes short interview

1. Which program are you going for?

8. Are you aware of the qurantine procedure?

~Will be posting the complete experience soon. Stay tuned!

VO is a lady in her early 30s, looks chilled.

University: Texas Tech University, Ms in Computer Science.

VO: So, why did you choose Texas Tech University.

VO: Who’s sponsoring for your education?

VO: Are you aware of the quarantine, any arrangements made?

VO: Do you have any savings?

VO: what about your father?

The interview hardly lasted for 3 mins.

1.Pass me your I20 and passport.

Me: Good Morning Officer, How are you Doing?

Got my F1 Visa approved today at Kolkata Consulate

Why this University

Tips : Keep it short ,don't give information/documents unless asked.

Tips: be confident , maintain eye contact and dress well

Interview Date: 16th Sept 2020

Started Fall Online

VO guy was between 30 - 35 yrs and very friendly.

1. For which course you are planning to go to the US?

3. I see after your undergraduate you have been working?

5. How doing masters in BA is going to help in your career?

8. Who is sponsoring you?

9. Tell me about what your father and mother do?

10. Did you apply for any loan?

VO: Congratulations! Your Visa is Approved.

Drop your passport in dropbox.

She kept typing