B1/B2 visa: A recent Reddit post has gone viral after a user shared their experience of obtaining a B1/B2 visa at the US Consulate in Chennai. The applicant, who recently joined a company in a Lead AI role, received their visa approval in under 15 seconds during the interview on October 16.
Navigating the Process: DS-160, VAC, and Rescheduling
The applicant explained that they initially booked a December 2025 interview slot in Kolkata, but kept monitoring for earlier openings. After finding an October slot via manual tracking, they successfully rescheduled. They completed their VAC appointment at Chennai on October 10, describing the process as smooth and efficient.
“I reached by 7:30 AM. The entire process took about 45 minutes…Biometric process itself took around 5 minutes — quick and smooth,” the applicant noted. They also shared tips on locker usage, carrying updated DS-160 versions, and planning travel arrangements near the consulate.
Quick and Smooth Interview Experience
During the interview at the consulate, the Visa Officer (VO) asked a few concise questions. “Please handover your passport,” the VO said, followed by inquiries about the purpose of visit, city of travel, company, duration of employment, and designation. The applicant answered confidently and in context.
“I am required to attend XYZ annual meet where I will get exposure to latest developments in the field of XYX1 and this exposure directly contributes in the AI features that I build for our product. Following that I will also be meeting some of our clients with our leadership where we will plan our next years product strategies.”
The Visa Officer approved the visa almost immediately
“Your Visa is approved. I am keeping your passport and you will receive it in 7 days. please keep your left hand on scanner and have a good day!”
The applicant shared that the interaction was calm, polite, and smooth, emphasizing the importance of preparation and confidence.
The user added, “After hearing so many stories and reading many threads – I came to conclusion that getting a suitable Visa Officer is completely luck based and you do not get to choose one.”
Insights and Advice for Future Applicants
The Reddit post highlights the significance of persistence, planning, and monitoring available interview slots. It also underlines that the Visa Officer assigned can influence the ease of the process, as the interaction often depends on their style. The applicant advised future travelers to stay calm and provide clear, concise answers aligned with their purpose of visit.
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