A Hyderabad-based professional recently shared a detailed account of his US B1/B2 visa interview experience on Reddit, highlighting not just the visa process itself but also the two-hour queue, surprising interview questions, and the challenges faced afterward—particularly from aggressive auto drivers near the consulate.
The interview was scheduled for 8:30 AM, and the applicant reached the consulate by 7:50 AM, only to find over 500 people already in line. Despite the early arrival, his turn came only at 10:15 AM after over two hours of waiting in the Hyderabad heat.
At the security check, his water bottle was not allowed, and he was asked to exit the premises to discard it. Luckily, someone exiting the interview helped by disposing of it. Even his pilot pen was inspected twice before being cleared.
While in line, he witnessed other interviews:
- A woman in her 30s was rejected for not having supporting documents for her in-laws in the US.
- A family of three visiting for a graduation ceremony received an approval after answering all questions clearly.
His Interview Experience
The visa officer, described as a middle-aged African-American woman, began the interview with standard questions:
- Purpose of visit?
He said he was visiting the US headquarters of his company, where he’s worked for 4.5 years. - Have you traveled internationally?
He mentioned a business trip to France. - Annual income, duration of stay, marital status?
All answered promptly.
On seeing the company name (a FAANG equivalent) on the system, the officer acknowledged it with familiarity. That seemed to help his case. After asking him to place his fingers on the scanner, the officer smiled and said, “Visa is approved. You’ll receive your passport in 7–10 days.”
Trouble Outside the Consulate
His relief was short-lived. Without his phone or change, the applicant encountered a group of aggressive auto drivers outside the consulate. While he had taken an Ola cab for ₹160 in the morning, the return journey was far worse.
Five auto drivers surrounded him, refusing to let him walk away. Though he bargained them down from ₹500 to ₹300 for a short ride to near IKEA, the driver continued to guilt-trip him the entire way, saying rich people go to the US while poor people drive autos.
Ironically, the techie ended up paying ₹500 again because he had no phone or small notes. The driver begged him to take the ₹500 back, but eventually, he gave in and left it.