A visa applicant’s attempt to secure a B1/B2 visa at the US Consulate in Hyderabad ended in rejection, despite being well-prepared for the interview.
The applicant arrived early for their 9:15 AM appointment, reaching the consulate at 8:30 AM. However, there was already a long queue.
The applicant had gathered all the necessary documents, including the DS-160 form, passport, bank statements, salary slips, and income tax returns.
Despite carrying over 60 pages of financial documents, none of these were requested during the process. The consulate staff mainly asked for the DS-160 form and the latest passport, with a recommendation to bring old passports for anyone with prior international travel.
After passing through security checks and scans, the applicant was assigned to Counter 25 for the interview. The Visa Officer (VO), who was friendly and smiling, conducted the interview in a relaxed manner.
What happened during the interview?
The applicant was asked about the purpose of the visit, the places they planned to visit in the US, their past travels, their job, and salary.
The VO also asked about relatives in Michigan, as mentioned in the application. After confirming the applicant’s work experience and education, the VO asked for fingerprints and continued typing on the computer.
After what seemed like a positive conversation, the applicant was asked to wait while the VO typed for a longer period. Unfortunately, the VO then informed the applicant that the visa could not be processed at this time.
The VO handed back the passport along with a printed form explaining the reason for the rejection and wished the applicant good luck.
‘Never over explain’
Netizens also posted their opinion on the post. A user noted, “The purpose of travel may have sounded like a long multi-city leisure trip (Michigan → Chicago → New York → DC), which can sometimes make officers wonder if the plan is too broad or not well-defined. Limited explanation of ties back home, can be other reason, should have been explained pro-actively. Solo travel sometimes raises questions if the itinerary seems large or ambitious for one person. It doesn’t mean you did anything wrong — your profile looks solid. With a more focused itinerary and a bit more emphasis on home ties, you’d probably have a much stronger case next time.”
Another stated, “Your cousin/uncle being there seemed a red flag plus travelling alone.” “It has been a prominent trend recently that once you mention any relative in USA, your Visa application gets denied. I am beginning to think that it has become an explicit or covert directive at the embassies,” added another.
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