Student Visa (F1, F2, M1, M2)

Hello All,

I was going through all the experiences posted on this forum and I really thank everyone who is taking time and sharing their experiences. It really help many people to prepare in advance and achieve the success. It is my turn to share my experience and hope it helps someone who is in similar boat. I will be as detailed as possible to help.

My current situation: I am currently on H4 visa and I have already started my master's program and completed 4 semesters (28 out of 31 credit hours). I was really nervous to attend this visa interview as I was not sure what will the visa officer say if he finds out I have already completed all the courses, and they may just reject my visa and ask me to continue my masters in H4. I thought of taking the chance and in worst case I was thinking to just come back on H4 visa (but my current H4 visa is expired and I have to attend dropbox).

Visa Interview booking: I could not find any visa dates at Hyderabad consulate and I came to know that visa dates are available in Chennai, and I immediately booked my Visa slot for Aug 12. I later found out that my Passport is expiring in Feb of 2022 and I do not meet the requirement of min 6 months of passport validity, I have applied for passport renewal in USA and I was able to get my renewed passport in hand in 7 business days (under tatkal). I have to re-schedule my appointment to 18 Aug at same Chennai consulate as I did not consider the passport renewal scenario.

Updating my passport number on appointment: Since I booked my first appointment with old passport number I was not able to change my passport number, I contacted USTravelDocs via email and they replied back in a day saying that they cannot update it and I just have to get this update done at OFC location.

OFC Appointment: My OFC appointment was on 17 Aug, this process is very straightforward as everyone is aware of. There were very less number of people at my appointment time and they have allowed me 45 mins in advance, I explained the new passport scenario and they just updated my passport number and attached a sticker on back of my new passport referring to old passport. The whole OFC process just took 10 mins.

Visa Appointment: My visa interview was at 8:30 AM on AUG 18 2021. I was just staying near by hotel (5 mins away) and I reached the Embassy by 7:30 AM, I stood in the line and there were around 50 people in front of me and with in no time there were more than 100 people standing behind me. Around 7:45 AM they called in students for 8:30 AM time slot. The visa officer is a young guy in 30's I think, I was noticing the interviews while I was standing in the queue and he was patiently letting the students answer the questions and approving the visa's. I was nervous but gained some confidence after seeing the approvals. My turn came:

Greeted the Visa Officer and he greeted back.

VO: Pass me your I20 and Passport
Myself: I have passed on the I20 along with SEVIS fee receipt and both the passports.

VO: I see you are going to XX university
Myself: Yes officer, I got an admission in Masters in Information Technology at this university.

VO: Tell me why this university?
Myself: I explained him that I have done lot of research before I choose this university. This university is offering excellent course curriculum with combination of mandatory and elective courses. I explained him that the mandatory programs really meet my area of interest and with elective courses I can choose the course which I am very interested and learning in depth.

VO: Who is sponsoring for your education?
Myself: My Spouse is sponsoring for my education.

VO: What does he do and his Name?
Myself: His Name is xxx and he is working as XX in the united states with XX Client.

He entered this information into his computer and was checking something.

VO: What is his annual income?
Myself: My husbands annual income is XX.

VO: Have you already started your masters program on H4?
Myself: Yes officer I am in between of the masters program.

VO: How many courses have you completed?
Myself: I have completed 4 semesters, 28 Credit hours.

VO: Why do you want to switch to F1 if you only have few credit hours left?
Myself: My Spouse is planning to return back to India, I would not be able to complete the Masters program and achieve my dream if he returns back in between of the Masters program. Independent visa would allow me to focus on my studies and complete my masters.

VO: Where would you stay in united states?
Myself: I am currently staying with my Spouse as I took a semester break for last semester. As soon as I land in USA I will be going to college location and stay in university dorms.

VO: Everything looks good, I am approving your Visa. He handed over me the green slip.
Myself: I was very happy, thanked the officer.

My suggestions to everyone:
- Complete the DS 160 without errors
- Dress well and comfortable
- Drink ample water so that you can answer well, prepare for standing in line for min 1 hr before the interview
- Do not panic during the interview process and answer to the point, do not disclose unnecessary information unless being asked
- Carry all the documents with you, the more is always better. The visa officer did not ask me any documents but I was literally carrying everything I could.
- While I was standing in line I noticed many pink slips in student hands, I was not sure what those are. Later I came to know that they are 221g's, so please do not take visa interview for granted and be well prepared for any questions they may ask.
- I have literally went through 50-60 pages on this forum and number of youtube videos to understand what kind of questions I may expect. So please do your research based on your visa situation and write down good answers from successful visa interview.
- Some people do not post the answers which they have given at the visa interview, they simply state <Answered>. This does not help anyone, it would be nice whoever reading this to take time and post your detailed experiences so that other people in similar boat get benefited.

All the best to everyone, please reach out to me in case of any questions and I will definitely try to help.