In what turned out to be a tense yet ultimately successful visa interview, a student heading to San Jose State University (SJSU) for an MS in Software Engineering secured their F1 visa after facing a barrage of detailed and unexpected questions at the U.S. Consulate in Mumbai. The details werre shared by the applicant on Reddit.
The interview, scheduled at 10:20 am, lasted approximately 4–5 minutes and was conducted by an Indian woman officer, who maintained a no-nonsense demeanor throughout. The applicant, who had been admitted to multiple universities including ASU, UCI, and SUNY Buffalo, chose SJSU for its focused curriculum and alignment with future career goals.
One early hiccup came when the visa officer misread the course name on the I-20 form as “Computer Engineering” instead of “Software Engineering.” The student quickly clarified that while the CIP code may list a broader category, the actual course specialization was Software Engineering — a common technicality in U.S. university documents.
The officer’s line of questioning turned intense as she discouraged oversharing and pushed the applicant to focus strictly on relevant academic and professional experiences. “Don’t overshare,” she reportedly told the applicant, pressing for precise answers related to internships, coursework, and post-bachelor’s work experience. A notable moment was when the officer asked, “Do you know the responsibilities of a Software Architect?” to which the applicant confidently responded, “Yes, of course. Do you want me to explain it to you?”
Concerns about financial dependency were also raised. The officer questioned the student’s complete reliance on a student loan, to which the applicant offered detailed clarifications about family income, assets, and a backup plan to repay the loan independently if needed.
The most surprising twist came when the officer incorrectly claimed the applicant had a sibling working in the U.S. on an H-1B visa. “I was shocked,” the student shared, “but I calmly clarified that I have a younger sibling still in school.”
Toward the end, the officer asked about alternate university admits, questioning the student’s choice of SJSU over SUNY Buffalo. The applicant defended the decision based on curriculum depth and course relevance, ultimately convincing the officer after a persistent follow-up.
After a final glance at her screen, the visa officer approved the application with little ceremony: “Your visa is approved, you will receive it within a week,” before calling the next candidate.