Following F1 Visa interview experience is shared by Kashif.
I reach the consulate 8.45 for my 9am interview. After the security checks I was let in and made to sit in a queue.
I advise other students to reach the consulate early for this. After some time we where led into the building and given a token number.
We followed the queue to get our fingerprints verified and I sat in the first row in the waiting area for my interview.
I saw many interviews in my 90 mins wait time. A male officer on a particular counter was issuing visas to almost everybody and a lady was rejecting almost every applicant.
I got nervous seeing this. I was constantly praying that I got that generous officer.
I saw the ones who failed where those who hadn’t prepared properly and where didn’t have a proper plan.
Luckily I got the generous officer.
Me: Good Morning.
VO: No reply..Types into the computer.
VO: Good Morning Sir.
VO: Yes, I heard. Which degree?
Me:Mechanical Engineering
VO: Any other admits apart from UTA (University of Texas at Arlington)
Me:YES
VO:Which?
Me: SUNY, MSU, OSU & UTA
VO: hmmm. types into the computer.
VO: So you had gone to Saudi? Y?
Me: Hajj. It is…
VO (Interrupts): I know what that is..what is a generous smile. About to give the VISA, I could sense it.. But…
VO; So ready to go to Texas? Done with your high school this year?
Me: No. I completed two years back.. Here the grilling started (I wanted to be honest no matter what)
VO: What have you been doing since then?
Me: Told. Explained honestly looking into his eyes,
VO: Ok. So what is your father s income?
Me: 2.5 Lakhs p.a
VO: Mother s income.
Me: 6.25 Lakhs
As soon as he heard 6 lakhs he interrupted me:
VO: Your Visa has been approved and you will get it in 3-5 business days.
I reached home in 15 mins after the interview since I live near.
Within 4 hours I got an Email that my passport is ready for pickup. I’ll be collecting it tomorrow morning since it was already Friday evening.
Thanks a lot HSB since I prepared for my VISA extensively after reading F1 Visa interviews from your site!