A software engineer from India has successfully secured his F1 visa at the U.S. Consulate in Chennai for pursuing a Master’s in Computer Science at Texas A&M University (TAMU), College Station. His visa interview, held on May 27, 2025, tested both his composure and preparedness, but ended on a positive note with visa approval.
The applicant, who graduated in 2021, recounted his experience on Reddit, noting that nerves briefly got the better of him — he forgot to greet the visa officer with a “Good morning.” Despite the shaky start, he remained focused throughout the interview.
When asked about the course duration, the officer pointed out the I-20 listed a 3-year period. The applicant, slightly confused, replied, “Can you come again?” before clarifying the duration as 2025 to 2027. The conversation moved quickly to more specific queries.
Explaining his choice of TAMU, the applicant cited a strong interest in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, particularly the Intelligent Agent course offered by the university. He also mentioned being in touch with a professor conducting research in Agent AI, stating, “It will be a privilege to work under him.”
The visa officer then consulted briefly with a colleague before asking about his academic and professional background. The applicant shared that he had been working as a software engineer since graduating in 2021.
A tense moment arose when he was asked what he would do if his visa were rejected. Caught off guard, he paused for two seconds before calmly replying that he would work on improving his profile and continue his job in software engineering.
Ultimately, the officer asked him to place his fingers on the scanner and delivered the good news: “Your visa is approved. You will get your visa in 7 days.”
The story has since resonated with many prospective students online, offering insights into real-life visa interview experiences and the importance of staying calm under pressure.