F1 Visa

Weird F1 Visa Experience at Hyderabad US Consulate

You will definetly enjoy reading this informative F1 Visa Interview experience shared by Kiran.

A very long F1 Visa Interview experience at Hyderabad Consulate

  • Decision: 221(g)
  • Consulate: (Hyderabad)
  • Date/Time: 1st dec 2010
  • University Heading to : vtech
  • Program + Department : MS
  • Cost on I-20: 31k$
  • Funded/Unfunded/Partially funded (details): Unfunded
  • Financial Summary (If willing to furnish) : savings 16Lakhs and bank loan 20L
  • Work Experience : NA

Many weird things happened at Hyderabad consulate today. My VI was scheduled at 10.15 AM. I went there by 9.00 AM..my cousin dropped me.

There were many people standing on the street of US consulate. I saw some applicants there and asked them can we go to the consulate? He said the guard will call us wait here.

Then after few minutes I met a school frnd and decided to go inside the consulate…the guard checked the passport and interview letter and let me inside..i felt there are around 500 ppl waiting to attend visa interview to USA at Hyderabad  US consulate..

Then came the metal detector (girls remove ur bangels and watch at this point) and guys take off ur belt and other wallet,…they will give u a tray ..you just have to keep everything in that…waited for 15 mins here

Fire Alarm

After that there is this long line at the counters who collect our documents…i was assigned counter number 8 …while standing there i can see people going to the VO for VI..there was this lady b/w 30-40 age just giving rejects to everyone. She doesnt take more than one minute to anyone ….and there are some ppl sitting in the chairs and writing something…..during that time there was an officer there who asked 4 of us to go to another counter …when we went to the counter …THE FIRE ALARM WENT OFF..Very Happy,,,weird thing at the consulate…we were asked to go the back of the building..everyone confused at that time…after 10 min we came to know its a false alarm..went back to our places and i am standing at the counter….

Incorrect DS 160 Forms

I want to mention here one thing….I booked my VISA block with a CEAC number we get after filling DS form..a few days before US visa interview, Ii came to know that there are some mistakes in that …..so i filled in a new form and took the old one and new one to the VI …when she asked why two form ..i started to say all these things and she asked me which one is the latest…i gave that one to her pinned down my I-20 and SEVIS receipt to the passport and pinned down DS-160, HDFC receipt, Interview appointment letter….and asked me to go to counter for finger print…i was given token number 192

F1 Visa Interview

There was this hall opposite to the counter where ppl are waiting to get interviewed…A TV was present displaying counter numbers…when i saw it the number was 182…drank some water and had a leak..when i returned some ppl came to me and gave an U.S. brouchure ..abt destinations and all….(they are advertising abt US at the consulate..i never expected that Smile)..my token number came and went to the counter number 10..there was this same lady who was giving rejects …the VI was like this…

me: Gd mrng mam
VO: Gd mrng

me: How are u dng
VO: no reply took my forms and started typing….

VO: so you are gng to vtech
me: yes mam vtec

VO: wts ur stream there
me: CS

VO: which kind of specilization u want to do there?
me: computing

VO: explain clearly
me: i said abt the research gng on there and it matched the project that i did

( i think she decided here to give me white slip)

VO: wts ur project name?
me: ( i didnt expected that) thought for 2 seconds and said it

VO: whoz sponsoring you?
me: My parents mam, we have savings balance of ________ and took a loan of ____________

VO: wts ur UG perecentage?
me: mam, we have a grading system and mine was 9.03

VO: WOW, good marks
me: thankyou

and she gave me all my forms and passports with a counter number written on my DS form …i dont know wts happening

221(g) Administrative Processing

Then a lady besides the counter gave me a form and took me to a room where several ppl are filling the forms…OH MY GOD..i never thought that i m gonna get 221(g) wts happening …i didnt have a pen ..waited for someone to fill the form

The questions in the form are like this

  1. ur name,
  2. date of birth
  3. Explain the latest research experience u had…and feel that you are writing it for a technical person..(MY GOD…how can i remember abt my project now)
  4. Expalin ur plans in the University and wt u intend to do
  5. ur plans after ur studies
  6. contact person in US …

its a long form with three pages .. a girl sitting besides me is writing 2 pages abt the project..

meanwhile i m having a chat with other ppl ..someone who went to the same counter 10 got 221(g) she didnt asked him anything. He is frm mechanical and most of the ppl gng for POWER SYSTEMS got 221(g) there .. i can see around 30-60 ppl filling the forms…

when we are filling the forms ..opposite to us Visa interview was going on..

Another F1 Visa Interview

A girl came for F1 Visa interview and VO asked u had any brothers and sisters? she said my brother is in US and VO asked wts he dng there …she said he is dng job there.

filled our forms and standing in the long line to submit our 221(g) forms..and another interesting thing happened at other interview..VO was a 20-30 aged girl looking gud…and she was interviewing this other guy lets name him as SD

in the middle of the interview

VO: which univ
SD: gannon univ

VO: give me ur mark sheets
SD: wt mam??

VO: give me ur mark sheets
SD: i gave u already the forms ( i dont know which part this guy cant understand)

VO: no, not that ..give me ur mark sheets
SD: he is seeing the harmonium file but not opening it..

VO: give me ur mark sheets
SD: plz repeat mam ( we shouted from backwards..give ur engg marksheets )

SD: he doesnt gave individual mark sheets, he gave all 10th,inter,engg OD

VO has very high patience and looking all over the marksheets

VO: wts ur father dng?
SD: he is dng business mam and blah,blah

VO: wts ur father dng?

SD: real estate business mam

she was very patient and gave him the VISA..i thought then my visa would have got approved if i have came to this young lady…but its all fate

meanwhile a girl in our line was screaming ( why did i get this? i had so and so GRE score and gng to this university and many low profile ppl are getting acceptance)..i then came to know that she doest know abt 221(g)..Shocked Shocked

when i was getting ready with my resume and acceptance letter along with my 221(g) form …people are asking me..(hey..why you got so many documents in that file..you should have known the university well) … i said

Dont u know edulix??
he said no..i know only happyschoolsblog.com…i started explaining him all these things abt edulix…

then the long line was cut off and we were sent to another counter to submit our forms….a girl infront of me was submiting the form and the VO asked her to give admission letter..the girl was telling (Mam, i gave u the I-20) ..same discussion for 1 min.. we said to give the admit letter……

Next, i submitted all my forms, resume and acceptance letter then she gave me a white slip with a case number and all….Guys i dont understand one thing …does computing comes under 221(g)…how can they give whiteslips to so many ppl……i have to go the university by jan 10th…what should i do now..when can i expect my VISA

things notice at VI:

  1. every thing u have to do is clear…the ppl will help u
  2. i saw 2-3 ppl sent back to take new photos (dont do that thing …carry one with u)
  3. i saw many ppl getting rejected ..the reasons VO gave are “you are not confident in answering the questions”, i dont believe you are gng to come back
  4. carry resume, acceptance letter
  5. Be confident while answering ..they wont have much time to look in to your documents..they only know wt u say

another weird thing happened today. i mailed the immigration office at my University describing my situation …they replied like this ..

Administrative processing can take at least two months. If you cannot arrive in Blacksburg by January 13, then you will have to request the academic department to defer admission to fall 2011. We do NOT allow students to arrive late…

Nothing is in my hands right now …just have to hope that i get my visa stamped within 13th….

Thnx for reading  this lengthy post..

Update – I booked my ticket on 6th night and i got my visa on 5th morning ..I am in blacksburg right now..thnx for reading this post ..hope u may find it informative (comment below)

Similar Posts

50 Comments

  1. I’m Jonathan Kwabena Boam from Ghana. I’m an aspirate of Concord University majoring in computer science. I was denied a visa my first time because the Consoler said my pprogram isn’t recognized in the USA, please I want you to help me out what I should do now.
    Thanks

  2. HI my name is Raghu. I done my Post graduate in Diploma in Business Administration in UK in the year 2011. i gave my ielts test and waiting for the results to come. My question is, Is GRE is mandatory for student visa ?(F1). Please guide me accordingly…

    Thanks in advance….

  3. I am currently on L2 visa in the US.
    I got an admit in Phd (Biotech) with GRA. I haven’t had an EAD. So, the only option for me to get admitted into PhD given the time constraint was to go back to India and apply for F1 visa. Now, after my F1 visa interview, I got 221(g) white form and I got an email saying to fill and send back some basic research and contact details. My last day for admission is Aug 29th 2012. Also, my passport is with the US Consulate. So, I can’t go back to US on my L2 visa and I am not sure whether I would get my F1 visa and even if I would get my F1 visa I should get it in time. Its so complicated for me. Pls help, if I can do something.. let me know.

    Thanks
    Pavan

  4. Hello,

    I have 590 in GMAT and 6.5 in IELTS. Have about 3 yr of entrepreneur work exp. got i-20 from university of houston, university of south florida and CSUSB for MBA 2012. want to process for UH. I am in the process of getting loan amt 40 lac and has about 20 lac in liquid assets (self and parents). Does loan sanction letter at visa interview hurt the chance of getting f-1 visa and make me a potential migrant?

    Kindly let me know asap. Thanks!

  5. hi friends,
    I am just sharing my experience with you guys about my visa interview that was in last year 2011.
    Last minute in august 1st week i attended the interview.To say that its all luck favors me.Even though my profile is low.his first question is why this university??replid….2nd ques btech percentage?? said……3rd que .any backlogs??? said ……One thing you should remember here is even if you dont want to tell the truth ,ok go on what you want to say bt b confident and be alert with a loud voice like i am good with everything even your profile is low….he will not even ask you anything to show your documents…thats true believe me…be confident and make sure that the voice should not be low…..thats it I got my visa within a week time.All the best for all this Fall intake guys…….

  6. Hello,
    I have completed BCA (12+3)…want to pursue MS in CS……….
    . I score in GRE , V=139, Q=146, Aw= 1.5
    And in IELTS= 6 Band………… I am applied for two University 1) Monmouth University ,2) Virginia International University…… I got I-20 from both…….But now I want know which university have good Success Rate of F1 visa …….

  7. Hello,
    Just a question that may sound weird. When I took the appointment from American Express the recipe shows the time 8:00 A.m So, is that the time I will be interviewed? or there is some other number and token system and will have to wait etc? Please, let me know
    Thanks

  8. Hi,

    I had my visa interview today. The interview went good but the lady handed me a green slip. The slip was about 221(g) and I am asked to email my documents.
    I am not sure how long the administrative processing would take place. I am still not quiet sure why I got the green slip. My interview was really good, VO was a pleasant too but she didn’t look or asked me for any of documents.
    Now I am in a fix about what to do. I hate the waiting part.
    So is my visa confirmed? or is there a possibility that I might be rejected after this long wait.

    :((

    1. hey mine is same case 221(g) on may 5th 2011,UTDallas MsS Finance got green slip and administrative processing please put case numbers so that we could epect the time for visa stamping.i came to 221(g) is 99% visa ok but takes time.

        1. I too dint get any case number but I have got an email which the VO asked me to reply for!!I am confused guys…plz help me out!!

      1. did u got ur visa r u r still waiting a? please reply me my position also same i did not received any case number and i have interview on june 14th .. i got an e mail that contains qustionary… is it means 221g? pls help me out?

        1. Hello Althafuddin,

          Did you get the visa. Pls reply. My case is also the same- “refused or pending under section 221(g) of The National Immigration Act of the USA.”. I’m Suffering because of this. Bye.

          Thanks.

  9. Good help from you bro……..Kiran.
    It’s like reading a novel……..and gave a good picture of our Hyderabad consulate.
    Writing flow is very good…………it’s different from others.
    Even I should face VI may be the next month……….in Hyderabad consulate…….for this Fall-11.

    1. hey F1 visa interview over on may 5th 2011 and got 221(g) at hyderabad counsulate,case number is 2011 125 904 0001.please put any other case numbers in 221(g) so that we can expect the time for processing and visa issuing

  10. your narration is awesome bro , u have shown me a picture of visa interview process, hope ill be interviewed by that hottie…:P

  11. Thats fantastic man..really i love ur description about the situation took place on ur visa issuing day…God is great…and really ur smart at work,,,,cheers….

  12. Hi HSB / HSB fans,

    Pls advice on my rejection case. Interview at Mumbai consulate. Time 10 but interview starts at arnd 11:30.

    Me: Hi , How ru?

    VO: Fine, how ru?

    Me: Fine. thank you

    VO: why US

    Me: replied (Ms.Hospitality & tourism mgmt)

    VO: Which university?

    Me: replied

    VO: how many did you apply

    me: 3

    vo: rejections?

    me: yes, one.

    vo : why?

    me: bcoz my transcripts reached after deadline.

    vo: when did you complete your graduation?

    me: 2006

    vo: since then what ru doin?

    me: working in dubai in travel sector.

    vo: where r ur parents?

    me: my hometown xyz

    vo: sorry we cant issue visa since you left India right after your graduation, you might do the same again. You do not have strong ties back home.

    What should i do now? I left my job coz i wanted to do higher studies and i knw I have better prospects in India. How should i convince them? Should i even apply again ?:( pls advice

  13. Now thats what we call a perfect sweet flow :)…

    You know what ? you are preety good at explaining things Bro 🙂

    Loved it and understood each and every word of it…

    In my perspective, you the man bro :p

    keep it up ….you got fb or something please let me know i hope you don't mind…i have a lot of questions….Once again excellent work bro ….

    God bless you!

      1. US visa form is having surname and given name columns but our Indian passports are having only given name as single word, two words or three words but nothing in surname. without filling the surname US visa is not possible to continue. submitting a passport to passport office for a change as required is a big problem.can you/anyone suggest how to fill the form in this situation?

        1. No need of making any changes in the passport as far as the surname is concerned – for the VISA application thing you just fill in your complete name in the Given name section .
          I was stuck in a similar way but i filled up everything as given in my passport, If anybody question you on your surname simply say, You dont have a surname .
          I diD in the similar way and I am here in US attending my classes at CSULB

          1. Hello Bro,

            I too applied CSULB for Spring 2012, unfortunately being held up by the administrative process. Was your case also put under administrative process (221(g)). Pls reply.

            Thanks.

  14. Hey Bro, your narration was excellent. I had the feeling of what you say gut-wrenching at some places. At last happy for you man, for you have faced the difficulties to get to where you are. Remember these instances for life and have a laugh.!!!

  15. Hey, congrats brada, I too am from Hyderabad, and I am
    going for under graduation for FALL-2011, what'd you think about
    those residing in Hyderabad, are they unlucky enough that most of
    them will be rejected for a visa? Hey and what's this 214(g) about?
    Not sufficient funds?

    1. Many of andhra people got visa in Hyd…I think it has most visa success rate….U should see the percentage not the numbers for VISA success rate…

  16. Hey, Pal ! I have good scores on GRE(750Quant + 700 Verbal)
    and TOEFL(106). I have 2 backlogs and my Academic Percentage is
    70.6. I don't know what went wrong, I got rejection for 2 times.
    The Visa Interview went as follows… VO : Hey ! Me : Hello, Madam.
    How do you do ! VO : Good. VO : Which University ? Me : Rutgers
    University. VO : Started typing on the computer and within few
    seconds, she said, I'm very sorry to say that you are not qualified
    for the US Student Visa. ME : What went wrong, Madam ? VO : Don't
    argue with me, try next time. She called the guy behind me saying
    'Next'. Everyone says that Visa is pure luck and I agree
    that.

    1. I wont agree that VISA is pure luck..luck comes as a part for all those who got visa but there is a reason for everyone who got rejected..If u can post all your experience and your profile..I think HSB will help u

  17. You mean to say that Students should not mention that they have strong research interest and hence they have selected such n such university?

  18. congratulations.. finally you got it. your VI details are certainly informative and helpful for others. you will be a good writer man … keep it up. All the messages of HSB revealed that candidates must be confident,clear and prepare well before attending it.

  19. so good to hear that this long story had a happy ending! thanks for sharing your experience and all those little things…..it will really help for the D-day….

  20. Hi kiran.Firstly i would like to congratulate u for u'r visa success.Its lengthy but contains very useful information.In general,I feel very tensed in those kind of situations if the Interview process such a long oh god!i cant even imagine me in that situation.Thanks a lot for providing information.All the best!!!

  21. as far as i know computing is not some specialization…..specialization is like algorithms, software engg, Artificail intell, networks, blah blah…..they expect that…..i told software engineering methodologies and got it….my frnd told networks and go a 221g……take a look at the TAL list and suggest thats not in the list.

      1. TAL list is Technology Alert List. The subjects under TAL list are are those subjects that can be used in a negative way to propagate maximum destruction or harm. Example: Nuclear science, some parts of nano technology etc. People who opt for the subjects given in the TAL list are usually given a 221(g). It’s not anything unusual. They will eventually get their visa. 🙂 . Good luck everyone.

  22. I booked my ticket on 6th night and i got my visa on 5th morning ..I am in blacksburg right now..thnx for reading this post ..hope u may find it informative

    1. Glad everything worked out for you. Good luck with your stay in US and do contribute your travel/flight experience and life in US, how are you settling down, …

      1. thanks for the wishes …I am settling in at the place.a little busy now..I write all the remaining when I am free

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *