An Indian student, Hari Krishna Trivedi from Ahmedabad, recently shared his remarkable experience of obtaining an F-1 visa at the Mumbai Consulate. Trivedi, who plans to pursue a master's degree at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, recounted his story in a YouTube interview, highlighting the unexpected turn of events that led to his visa approval.
A String of Rejections
Trivedi described how he witnessed every one of the 20 applicants ahead of him being rejected without any specific reason. He expressed surprise at how quickly the visa officers dismissed candidates, often interrupting them within seconds of their introduction. It seemed as though the officers had already decided to reject the applications before the candidates even approached the window.
Mental Preparation for Rejection
After observing so many rejections, Trivedi mentally prepared himself for a similar outcome. He noted that even candidates with offers from more prestigious schools were turned away. As lunchtime approached, he was the last person in the queue, expecting little chance of success.
The Interview
When his turn came, Trivedi was asked to introduce himself. However, halfway through his introduction, the visa officer interrupted and asked who was sponsoring his education. Caught off guard, Trivedi quickly responded that his father, who owns a business, was sponsoring him through a loan.
The officer then posed what is often considered the most dreaded question: about his future plans. Trivedi clearly stated that he intended to pursue a master's degree in the US to acquire skills and then return to India to build his career, specifically by joining his father's healthcare business. He explained his interest in studying AI in healthcare to contribute to the family enterprise.
Unexpected Approval
To his astonishment, the visa officer handed Trivedi a 221(g) form to declare his social media accounts, indicating that his visa had been granted. Trivedi could hardly believe that the same officer who had rejected at least 20 applicants before him had approved his visa.
This story serves as a reminder that visa outcomes can be unpredictable, and thorough preparation and honest responses can make a difference.
