Tweet
I went for the visa interview today in Chennai. I work for a very big, renowned company and was supposed to go for a conference in May. All the people I know in my company have got a US visa without any hassles.
I was rejected a Business visa long time back in 2012, when I was working in a small startup. But this time I don't understand the reason. I applied after 6.5 years.
VO: Hi, passport please
Me: Handed over the passports.
VO: So your passport was stolen?
Me: Yes, in ....., Actually, one of the passports that I have given to you is the old one which was stolen but fortunately I got it back.
VO: Smiles, that makes sense.
VO: So what's your purpose for going to the US?
Me: I am going to attend a conference, organized by my company, ...., annually. I am going there as a (role described briefly and I will be doing this there).. I explained my job in the conference briefly but she didn't understand in the first go. So I explained a little bit more. The thing is, my field is very niche and so I tried to explain it to her that I will be meeting customers and interacting with them about the product that I am associated with.
VO: Ummm, why would you be going there to, (pauses and smiles) let me re-phrase it. Why can't you do it here in India?
Me: So, it's a big conference where many people come but we have a set of user profiles that we look for while interacting... blah... blah... I tried to explain a little bit in detail.
VO: Ummm, ok, give me a while, I need to consult someone about it. And she goes
Me: Sure
VO: Comes back, hands me the 214(b) form.
Me: I don't say anything.
Now, my question is, my passport has many visas already since 2013, mostly Shengen and UK. And I was confident, looking in the eye while talking.
I tried to convince her about my role in the conference, as mentioned above. I have been working in this company for 6 years now. What could be the reason now?
Should I just have told her that I'm going to attend a conference in the US and stopped there and if she probed further, only then I should have said more?
I don't understand the rejections every time for me for the US visa. Other countries are always so smooth.
I was rejected a Business visa long time back in 2012, when I was working in a small startup. But this time I don't understand the reason. I applied after 6.5 years.
VO: Hi, passport please
Me: Handed over the passports.
VO: So your passport was stolen?
Me: Yes, in ....., Actually, one of the passports that I have given to you is the old one which was stolen but fortunately I got it back.
VO: Smiles, that makes sense.
VO: So what's your purpose for going to the US?
Me: I am going to attend a conference, organized by my company, ...., annually. I am going there as a (role described briefly and I will be doing this there).. I explained my job in the conference briefly but she didn't understand in the first go. So I explained a little bit more. The thing is, my field is very niche and so I tried to explain it to her that I will be meeting customers and interacting with them about the product that I am associated with.
VO: Ummm, why would you be going there to, (pauses and smiles) let me re-phrase it. Why can't you do it here in India?
Me: So, it's a big conference where many people come but we have a set of user profiles that we look for while interacting... blah... blah... I tried to explain a little bit in detail.
VO: Ummm, ok, give me a while, I need to consult someone about it. And she goes
Me: Sure
VO: Comes back, hands me the 214(b) form.
Me: I don't say anything.
Now, my question is, my passport has many visas already since 2013, mostly Shengen and UK. And I was confident, looking in the eye while talking.
I tried to convince her about my role in the conference, as mentioned above. I have been working in this company for 6 years now. What could be the reason now?
Should I just have told her that I'm going to attend a conference in the US and stopped there and if she probed further, only then I should have said more?
I don't understand the rejections every time for me for the US visa. Other countries are always so smooth.
Comment