A Reddit post sharing a US visa interview experience at the Delhi Consulate has gone viral for all the right and wrong reasons. The user, who ultimately got his visa approved, described a series of surprising rejections he witnessed.
What took him aback was that many of them were reportedly triggered not by documentation issues, but by weak or unconvincing answers during the interview. The post has sparked fresh discussion around what US visa officers actually look for: clarity of purpose, confidence, and consistency in responses.
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“I didn’t watch any match”: A sports fan’s failed visa attempt
One of the most striking examples shared by the Redditor involved an applicant who wanted to travel to the US to watch the FIFA final. According to the post, the visa officer asked a simple follow-up question:
The applicant was asked whether he watched last night’s match. The answer was no. Then came another question — whether he had watched any match at all. “No is again the answer.”
The Redditor summed up the outcome bluntly: “no prize to guess that the applicant's visa application is denied.”
The case highlights a recurring theme in visa interviews: lack of engagement or basic interest in the stated purpose of travel can raise doubts about intent.
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“Because it’s famous”: A travel plan that didn’t convince
Another rejection described in the post involved an applicant planning a US trip across New York and Chicago. When asked why he chose New York, the applicant reportedly replied: “because it's famous”
That single response was enough for the visa officer to reject the application. According to the Redditor, the officer expected a clearer, more personal or meaningful reason for travel.
Fourth-time rejection ends with a stern warning
The Redditor also shared a more intense interaction involving a man applying for a visa for the fourth time. The visa officer allegedly told him not to apply again unless he had something new to add.
The situation escalated emotionally: “He started arguing and pleading, and security eventually escorted him out,” the Redditor said.
The incident reflects how repeated attempts without improved documentation or purpose clarity can work against applicants.
The Redditor’s own interview: calm, clear, and structured
In contrast to the rejections he witnessed, the Redditor described his own successful interview experience as smooth and straightforward.
A software engineer based in Bengaluru earning around Rs 2 lakh per month, he said his application was self-funded. His family background includes a father who runs a business and owns multiple properties, which strengthened his financial profile.
His travel plan was to visit Seattle to meet a friend. “I want to visit Seattle. I plan to see Pike Place Market and Lake Union, and the highlight of the trip will be skydiving,” he said.
He also explained the context behind choosing Seattle:
“Initially, I planned to visit Georgia where my college friend was doing her master's. She has since graduated and moved to Seattle, where she works as a software engineer,” he said.
When asked about the nature of the relationship with his friend, he clarified she was not a girlfriend or fiancée, but just a friend.
The visa officer also reviewed his international travel history, which included visits to Canada, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. According to him, this helped establish credibility and consistency in his profile.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a user-generated post on Reddit. ET.com has not independently verified the claims made in the post and does not vouch for their accuracy. The views expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of ET.com. Reader discretion is advised.
