F-1 visa: An Austrian citizen was denied an F-1 visa to the United States, receiving a 214B refusal notice after a brief interview, according to details shared on Reddit. The applicant, who has spent time volunteering in the US on a B1/B2 visa, had planned to enroll in a community college program specializing in construction technologies—a program not available in Austria or at private US universities.

Visa Denial Sparks Confusion Among Applicants

“My partner had his visa interview today and was immediately denied his student visa and given the 214B form after only being asked a single question,” the Redditor wrote. “The only question he was asked was whether he had studied before, which he had in Vienna, but decided he didn’t like the program. He was given no chance to present other documents proving his ‘ties to home country’. They provided no explanation for what was missing or flagging his case.”

The applicant has returned to Austria for nearly a year, with all immediate family residing in the country. The intended study program would have prepared him for a career in construction project management, making it a highly specialized choice for professional advancement.

Couple Seeks Guidance on Next Steps

The Reddit user, expressed uncertainty about future options: “We aren’t clear if we should wait and try to reapply for the F-1 visa, or just give up on that for now and try either the K1 or the I-130. (We are unclear which of these would take less time for us to be together). I am a US citizen and he is a German citizen with Austrian residence. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.”

The post has prompted discussion among Reddit users about the challenges of F-1 visa applications, particularly for applicants with complex personal circumstances and limited prior US ties. Several respondents highlighted that 214B denials often occur even for highly qualified candidates, and emphasized the importance of reapplying with stronger documentation or considering alternative visa pathways.

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