In a recent turn of events, a F-1 student visa applicant had an unexpected experience during his visa interview in the U.S. Consulate, Hyderabad. The incident has prompted a wave of reactions online. The student had applied for a visa to pursue a graduate program at Indiana University Bloomington. The man recounted his experience on Reddit trying to understand what may have gone wrong.

The incident

As per student, the interview started in a routine manner. The questions were focused on his academic background and university selection. But in no time, the applicant noted that the tone of the conversation shifted when the officer, described as a white male in his 30s, began asking technical questions related to computer science. The topics, reportedly, included distinctions between data structures like arrays and linked lists, as well as concepts such as linear regression.

Despite the applicant’s responses, the officer denied the visa under Section 214(b) and advised him to reapply.

Expressing his confusion in a Reddit post, the applicant wrote:

“I was surprised by the level of technical questions asked. I tried to stay calm and answer everything honestly, but I’m still not sure what went wrong—whether it was my answers, university choice, or how I explained my project. If anyone has been through this or has advice for my next attempt, I’d really appreciate it.”

The story quickly went viral and sparked an online discussion. Several Reddit users started sharing similar accounts of unexpected interview experiences. One user said that his interview lasted for 15 seconds as the officer barely asked questions.

Reactions:

“Wait whattt... This has kind of got me bumfuzzled. I mean, why would he ask such questions?” one user commented.

Another advised against certain phrasing, suggesting, “If you say ‘industry-oriented,’ make sure to emphasize you intend to work in your home country.”


The post was shared on May 30, 2025. It has sparked a conversation about the unpredictability of visa interviews and how technical queries play a role in the evaluation process. While the exact reason for the denial remains unclear, the applicant hopes to use the feedback to better prepare for a second attempt.

As the upcoming student visa season approaches, experiences like this serve as a reminder to future applicants to not only prepare for standard questions but also be ready for in-depth technical discussions, even at the consulate window.