US F-1 Visa Interview Experience

Hi there, welcome to my blog. Hope you are having a wonderful day!

Recently, I had my F-1 visa interview at the US Consulate General, Mumbai. Sharing my experience below. 

If you want to delve right into the questions, please click here.

I interviewed on April 17, 2023. My slot was early in the morning at 8:50 AM. I reached there around 7:15 AM and was surprised to see a long queue of applicants waiting outside the consulate already! 

The good thing here is that you are called inside as per your slot. So, you needn't worry if you see tons of people gathered outside. There were essentially 2 sections. One was just outside the consulate – this is where the main queue was present – people who had their slot in the next 30 mins were called up to stand in this queue. The other section was across the road where people just waited for their slots. Once your slot is called up, you need to go to the main queue.

My slot was called up around 8:15 AM. The communication arrangements are good at the Mumbai office. Security guards regularly keep calling the next slots. I found them pretty co-operative and helpful. At the entrance, before entering the consulate, there were minimal checks - your visa appointment letter and your passport are checked. Then, you enter inside. Please note that no backpacks are allowed inside. You can only carry your document folder, your phone, and your wallet inside. It is okay to carry a small cloth hand bag - I carried something like this :)

Once you enter the premises, you go through the security check. There are arrangements to deposit your phone inside. You need to pay INR 50/- for that. It is better to carry some cash with you for this (I don't remember if they accept UPI)

Now, you just have to wait for your turn. I had to wait for more than an hour before my turn came up. Please note that you'll have other visa type applicants (J-1, H-1B, M-1, etc.) too waiting alongside you. 

Before your interview, your I-20, passport, SEVIS fee confirmation, DS-160, and appointment letter will be checked at one of the counters.

Pro-tip: Keep your I-20 signed. In case you forget, keep a pen with you :)

I was now called up for the interview at another counter.

My interview went like this –

1. He asked me for SEVIS fee receipt and I-20

2. Why are you going to the US for your studies ?

• In the beginning, I got a little nervous, to be honest. I wasn't expecting this question. I probably thought that I would be asked something like – "Why Emory ?" etc. I started blabbering some random stuff. 
•  I started giving reasons such as - 
• I'll get international exposure 
• Quality of education
• Program benefits – diversity, small class size, etc.
• He interrupted me in the middle and he seemed  a little flustered. I wouldn't blame him as he probably was hearing an answer like this for the nth time :p

3. Which schools did you apply for ? Where all did you get in ?

1. UTA, McCombs – WL
2. Duke, Fuqua – WL
3. USC, Marshall – Declined
4. UMich, Ross – WL
5. CMU, Tepper – WL
6. Emory, Goizueta – Accepted
   He says - "You just got into one school! All others declined you". 
   I clarified that I was waitlisted :) (gotta clarify)  
   And I affirmed that – Yes, I was just accepted at one school. When I was taking these school names, he got more interested and probably started taking me more seriously. 

4. Which course are you going to study ?

• MBA

5. What is your GMAT score ?

• 730.  He seemed impressed (phew xD) He says that it's a pretty good score. 

6. How are you going to afford the program ?

• Savings, scholarship, loan, and my sister would sponsor if required. He didn't check my financial documents and such.

7. Does your sister work in the US ?

• No

8. Asked about the scholarship - how long is the program ? Is the scholarship spread over 2 years ?

• $72K over 2 years. 36k per year. So, he computed and said that they gave you almost half of the tuition as scholarship. I said - YES

9. Where do you currently work ?

• Fidelity Investments

10. What is Emory Alliance Credit Union (EACU) ?

• I told that it is a credit union affiliated with the school. They have extended a line of credit to me

Congratulations! Your visa is approved!

The whole process got finished around 11:15 AM. Post this, the passport came to my house in 2-3 days with the visa stamped on it :)

Should you have any further questions, please drop me an email at eshant.kubde@emory.edu