Amid a sharp rise in student visa rejections from India, former US diplomat Yvette Bansal has shed light on why visa officers ask unexpected, informal questions. Speaking to YouTuber Pritesh Jagani, Bansal discussed a case where an F-1 visa applicant at the Kolkata consulate was asked what he would do on a Saturday night in Boston.
The Incident
The applicant, who had chosen a college in Boston, was asked three questions: the name of the university, how well he knew Boston, and what he would do on a Saturday night there. He replied that he applied to Northeastern University, knew Boston well, and that around New Year he would visit the library, roam the campus, and study.
Visa Officer's Intent
Bansal explained that such questions are designed to get applicants off their prepared script. "The officer wants to check if the applicant has researched the city, as a serious student would. It also tests whether the applicant remains articulate when thrown off. There is no right or wrong answer," she said. "It should just show that you are a student and have done basic research about the city."
Rising Rejections
On the overall increase in F-1 visa rejections from India, Bansal noted that the US administration is not keen on immigration, leading to tighter scrutiny. "There isn't a large push from the US to approve more visas. Consulates and embassies in India are likely told to apply a higher level of scrutiny," she added.
