In a detailed Reddit post, a 26-year-old woman from India shared her recent experience of successfully obtaining a B1/B2 visa at the U.S. Consulate in Mumbai. Her post, titled “B1/B2 Visa Approved – Marketing @ Startup, No Travel History, Anxious AF,” has struck a chord with many first-time applicants navigating the complex U.S. visa process.
The woman, who works as a Product Marketing Manager at an early-stage tech startup, had no prior international travel experience and had only been at her current job for six months. Despite what many would consider a “non-ideal” profile — limited job tenure, a lesser-known company, and no travel history — she managed to secure a visa to attend three global tech conferences in California.
Sharing her detailed interaction with the visa officer (VO) at Counter 28, she recounted how the VO asked about her role, the purpose of the trip, the company she represents, trip duration, salary, and even unexpected questions such as the cost of the booth at the conference.
“I wasn’t expecting the booth cost question, so I fumbled a bit,” she admitted in the post. Still, the interview ended on a positive note with the VO saying, “Your visa is approved. Congratulations.”
She credited her success to staying composed and having a clear answer to the very first question — “Why are you visiting the U.S.?” She emphasized that nervousness is natural but can be managed by staying focused and preparing well in advance.
Reddit users praised her openness, with many saying her experience helped reduce their own anxiety. One user commented, “Your profile sounds like mine — I feel more confident reading this!”
Her advice to others: “Even if your profile isn’t perfect, be honest, stay calm, and especially nail your first answer. It really sets the tone.”