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Visa Granted in Chennai After FOUR Rejections!
OCTOBER 2015, CHENNAI
History:
Had applied in 2007-2010.
Was Single, early twenties, medical student.
1st rejection : middle east (was a permanent resident)
2nd,3rd and 4th Rejection : Chennai
Had applied for tourism, to visit my brother.
carried all necessary documents. NONE WERE CHECKED and was rejected after being asked only 2-3 questions and simply told to apply again :\
Current situation:
Single, Late twenties, Doctor
Practising at minimal pay (15k per month) while preparing for post graduation.
Visited UK, Canada.
Have got maximum duration of visas for both countries.
Questions asked
VO: Why are you visiting the US?
ME: Tourism mainly. I want to see Miami (forgot other cities i wanted to visit.) and spend time with my brother and my niece *slipped photograph of 2 year old niece holding a teddy bear*
VO : *smiling* Cute kid. IS your brother in the US?
ME: Yes.
VO: *while cross checking with my DS 160 form* Ok answer me these..How long do you plan to travel for?
ME: 4 weeks
VO: Who will be paying for your trip?
ME : Mother *handed bank statement*
Vo: I don't need to see that. IS she travelling with you?
ME: NO, because we have a house here which we cant leave empty.
VO: WHat did you visit UK for?
ME: Answered
VO: Are you a doctor?
ME: Yes
VO: HAve you been rejected a US visa before?
Me: YEs
VO: How many times have you applied for a visa?! :O :O :O (he opened my old records, how embarassing!)
ME: four times
VO: *Still shocked*... I am seeing atleast 5 attempts
ME: No, 4. Once from Mid east, thrice from Chennai
VO: Oh, right. Why do you think you were rejected?
Me: I dont know. I was a medical student then and I was handed 214(B)
VO: Were you visiting your brother then as well?
Me: Yes
VO: What has changed from then to now? Are you working now?
Me: Yes. (Named the hospital and handed employment letter)
VO: I dont need to see that. Give me a moment.
Then he switched off the microphone and went in the back room.
I turned around and all applicants were looking at me. I got nervous.
He came back and said "Ok your visa has been approved" like it was no big deal.
RELIEF! Thanked him and walked out.
Points:
The Visa Officers seemed alot more friendly than my previous attempts. They were smiling and the interview process is more or less like holding a conversation. Be confident and clear.
Rehearse the answers to commonly asked questions.
There is no need to carry American Visa photos clicked at photo studios. They will be clicking a photo of you when you do your biometry.
Arrive early. They don't check your timings for appointment. They let you in as soon as you arrive.
Wear loose fitting clothes if your interview is in chennai. It is HOT and the applicants are packed like sardines inside the consulate.
Final words:
Not much has changed since my previous situation EXCEPT passport stamps to CANADA and UK.
I am still single.
I am in my 20s.
I don't earn enough.
I am not paying for my own trip.
I am a medical professional.
ALL mentioned points are red flags according to most rejections.
I'd say international travel to Western countries really helps as you can see.
LUCK and prayers play a pivotal role too!
Recieved my passport after 1.5 days of my interview stamped with a visa valid for 10 years :-)
History:
Had applied in 2007-2010.
Was Single, early twenties, medical student.
1st rejection : middle east (was a permanent resident)
2nd,3rd and 4th Rejection : Chennai
Had applied for tourism, to visit my brother.
carried all necessary documents. NONE WERE CHECKED and was rejected after being asked only 2-3 questions and simply told to apply again :\
Current situation:
Single, Late twenties, Doctor
Practising at minimal pay (15k per month) while preparing for post graduation.
Visited UK, Canada.
Have got maximum duration of visas for both countries.
Questions asked
VO: Why are you visiting the US?
ME: Tourism mainly. I want to see Miami (forgot other cities i wanted to visit.) and spend time with my brother and my niece *slipped photograph of 2 year old niece holding a teddy bear*
VO : *smiling* Cute kid. IS your brother in the US?
ME: Yes.
VO: *while cross checking with my DS 160 form* Ok answer me these..How long do you plan to travel for?
ME: 4 weeks
VO: Who will be paying for your trip?
ME : Mother *handed bank statement*
Vo: I don't need to see that. IS she travelling with you?
ME: NO, because we have a house here which we cant leave empty.
VO: WHat did you visit UK for?
ME: Answered
VO: Are you a doctor?
ME: Yes
VO: HAve you been rejected a US visa before?
Me: YEs
VO: How many times have you applied for a visa?! :O :O :O (he opened my old records, how embarassing!)
ME: four times
VO: *Still shocked*... I am seeing atleast 5 attempts
ME: No, 4. Once from Mid east, thrice from Chennai
VO: Oh, right. Why do you think you were rejected?
Me: I dont know. I was a medical student then and I was handed 214(B)
VO: Were you visiting your brother then as well?
Me: Yes
VO: What has changed from then to now? Are you working now?
Me: Yes. (Named the hospital and handed employment letter)
VO: I dont need to see that. Give me a moment.
Then he switched off the microphone and went in the back room.
I turned around and all applicants were looking at me. I got nervous.
He came back and said "Ok your visa has been approved" like it was no big deal.
RELIEF! Thanked him and walked out.
Points:
The Visa Officers seemed alot more friendly than my previous attempts. They were smiling and the interview process is more or less like holding a conversation. Be confident and clear.
Rehearse the answers to commonly asked questions.
There is no need to carry American Visa photos clicked at photo studios. They will be clicking a photo of you when you do your biometry.
Arrive early. They don't check your timings for appointment. They let you in as soon as you arrive.
Wear loose fitting clothes if your interview is in chennai. It is HOT and the applicants are packed like sardines inside the consulate.
Final words:
Not much has changed since my previous situation EXCEPT passport stamps to CANADA and UK.
I am still single.
I am in my 20s.
I don't earn enough.
I am not paying for my own trip.
I am a medical professional.
ALL mentioned points are red flags according to most rejections.
I'd say international travel to Western countries really helps as you can see.
LUCK and prayers play a pivotal role too!
Recieved my passport after 1.5 days of my interview stamped with a visa valid for 10 years :-)
