For 25-year-old investment banker from Mumbai was thrilled at the thought of watching FIFA World Cup along with his father in the US. After attending the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with his father, he had been dreaming for that moment. But those plans came to an abrupt halt when he was denied a US visa, leaving him shocked.
This professional is earning around Rs.2 lakh per month post-tax and had meticulously planned his trip. He intended to stay in the US for four weeks, though his employer could only approve three. His itinerary was flexible, hinging on which match tickets he could secure, and he had a childhood friend in Seattle, a US citizen, to visit during his stay. His father was ready to sponsor his airfare, while he would cover his living expenses.
Yet, the visa interview itself lasted less than a minute. When the consular officer asked the purpose of his visit, he spoke of his love for football and his World Cup experiences with his father.
He explained his intended length of stay, the cities he might visit, and mentioned his friend in Seattle. When asked about sponsorship, he replied that his father would cover the airfare. Questions about his parents’ residence and his own living situation followed.
Despite his clear answers and strong ties to India, the consular officer’s response was sudden: “I’m sorry, you are rejected.” There were no questions about his employment, salary, or travel history, details often considered vital in visa assessments.
His responses during the interview
Me: Hi Sir, good morning
VO: hi good morning, purpose of visit
Me: huge football fan, been to the WC in Qatar in 22 with dad and he promised he’d try and send me wherever World Cup happens next, it’s in the US so I want to go
VO: how long?
Me: I wanted to stay for 4 weeks, but my boss didn’t agree to it and I can go for a max of 3 weeks
VO: which cities?
Me: it all depends on what match tickets I can get, not certain which ones I’ll be able to get so it’s totally up in the air
VO: anyone you know in US
Me: childhood friend, he’s a us citizen, works in Seattle
VO: who’s going to sponsor
Me: dads going to sponsor my air tickets, the rest by myself (he made a slight face on that)
VO: where do parents stay? Where do you stay?
Me: parents in Delhi, I’m in Mumbai because I work there
VO: I’m sorry you are rejected
‘You are a walking red flag’
Netizens listed down the reasons behind the refusal. A user noted, ” 4 weeks stay that too 3 weeks because boss didn’t agree, No fixed plans. You could have said i am planning to watch xxx vs xxx at xxx city, Childhood friend who is US citizen. High chances he might sponsor you for visa, Earning 2 lakh yet dad sponsoring is huge red flag. Consular officer assess everything and decide whether to approve or deny.”
“If I was your interviewer I’d reject you too. You’re giving me unnecessary information. Purpose of the visit is: tourism/ watching football — not the long story about your dad sponsoring your trip. Be simple, clear and direct. And figure out atleast some location you’ll go to watch the match. It’s too up in the air right now,” added a netizen.
“Your answers weren’t certain at all, lot of ambiguity,” opined another. “You earn 2 L a month. Even if it is your dad paying for your tickets say you will be !!!!! Show that you can support yourself. Don’t bring up your father. Pick a couple of matches and say you are buying tickets or have bought tickets for those games. That makes your whole trip look so much more legit. Now it looks so up in the air,” stated a user.
The user continued, “There’s no need to mention your friend in your DS 160. In the interview, keep it vague and say you’ll be meeting friends who live in the USA. Don’t say unnecessary things about your leave. Say I’m going for 3 weeks. 4 weeks is a long trip to the USA and not a great look in their eyes. Look at it this way – you need to give the officer confidence. Remember they get hauled up for all visa overstayers/violaters. A person who is an adult, not financially independent, whose company did not approve their initial leave, who has no fixed plan to watch a huge international sporting event does not give them confidence.”
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