Has This Round in the US Visa Interview Become Tougher?

Students aspiring to pursue higher studies in foreign countries, the USA in particular, now need to face a different challenge of uncertainty over their visa approval due to changed rules. A student aiming to pursue a graduate programme at Indiana University Bloomington was denied a US F-1 visa during an interview at the US Consulate in Hyderabad on May 30 this year, after posing several technical questions.

The applicant was in for a surprise due to the unprecedented shift in the interview process for the technical scrutiny. He was asked about what he was studying currently and his aspirations in the future, the universities to which he applied and other information about the undergraduate project.

Surprisingly, the visa officer unconventionally asked him some technical queries. After a few other questions on his choice of Indian University Bloomington and his elective subject of Applied Data Science track, the Consulate denied his visa which left him perplexed, as he could not understand where his answers failed to meet the expectations of the Consular officer.

International students wishing to pursue full-time academic programmes usually gain entry into the US through F-1 visa. The visa allows the students to enter the US 30 days before their programme. As per the rules, students obtaining this visa are required to maintain full-time enrolment throughout their academic programme.

In addition, they are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week on campus, even when classes are underway.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT) are available to allow the students gain experience in STEM fields, with OPT offering up to 12 months of work authorization. Eligible STEM graduates can also opt for a 24-month extension. Under the new visa rules, STEM OPT training duration has been increased for F-1 visa holders. The H-1B visa process has also been revised. These days, the graduate-level applicants in STEM programmes are being asked more subject-specific or technical questions.