Applicant Background
An Indian student with around five years of professional experience in data engineering attended an F1 visa interview for admission to the Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) program at University of Maryland, College Park. The applicant had also received admits from multiple reputed U.S. universities and was heading to the Robert H. Smith School of Business at UMD.
The interview took place at the U.S. Embassy New Delhi on 14th May during the 08:10 AM slot.
F1 Visa Interview Experience – Questions & Answers
The applicant mentioned that the atmosphere initially felt stressful, especially after noticing another applicant receive a refusal. However, they advised future applicants to avoid paying attention to surrounding interviews and stay focused on their own conversation with the visa officer.
Interview Conversation
Visa Officer: Pass me the passport, I-20, and SEVIS receipt.
Applicant: Sure.
Visa Officer: There are two questions written on the counter regarding danger from the Indian government, etc.
Applicant: No, absolutely not.
Visa Officer: Which course and university?
Applicant: MSIS at UMD’s Robert H. Smith School of Business.
Visa Officer: Why this course?
Applicant: The applicant explained that the MSIS program aligned closely with their background in data engineering and supported their long-term goal of transitioning into techno-managerial roles. They also discussed specific subjects within the curriculum and highlighted the importance of the capstone project in building practical industry skills.
Visa Officer: What is your source of funding?
Applicant: The applicant mentioned receiving a $6,000 scholarship from the university along with personal savings and an education loan. During the response, the officer interrupted and asked if the remaining expenses would be covered by the applicant’s father, to which the applicant replied yes.
Visa Officer: When did you graduate, and why are you going for a master’s after five years?
Applicant: The applicant shared that even friends and family had asked the same question. They explained that while attempting to move into techno-managerial positions in India, they realized additional academic exposure and specialized skills would significantly improve their opportunities. This realization motivated them to pursue a master’s degree.
Visa Officer: What does your family do?
Applicant: The applicant stated that the family operates a rental business with multiple residential and commercial properties.
Visa Officer: You worked at this XYZ company for how long?
Applicant: The applicant explained that they had been working there since June 2025 and had previously worked as a data engineer at another company.
At this point, the conversation became informal and friendly.
Visa Officer: Do you know your surname has a beer name in Indonesia?
Applicant: Yeah, I saw that in a Premier League sponsorship.
Visa Officer: You watch the Premier League? Which team do you support?
Applicant: The applicant answered and also asked the officer about his favorite team. A short casual discussion followed for about a minute.
Final Outcome
Toward the end of the interview, the visa officer handed over a 221(g) slip and instructed the applicant to make certain profiles or information public for additional processing. The officer then wished the applicant good luck.
This experience highlights how visa interviews can sometimes shift naturally between professional and casual conversation. Maintaining composure, answering honestly, and communicating career goals clearly can help create a positive interaction with the visa officer.
If you need expert assistance, contact LeSo.
