Final Year MBBS Student — Medical Rotation
Sponsored by father (retired govt officer). Prior Europe travel. Going to Lasante Medical Health Centre, Brooklyn (affiliated with Sunny Downstate Hospital).
Q1What do you 'work' here?
AI am a final year medical student, currently in the internship period of my MBBS degree — Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery — that I have to complete before I graduate.
Q2Who will sponsor your trip to the US?
AMy father will be sponsoring my trip to the United States.
Q3What does he do?
AHe is a retired Government officer in the Department of [name provided].
Q4Tell me something about your previous travel history.
AI went to Europe for the same purpose — a medical rotation in a hospital to gain foreign experience in medicine. For the first 4 weeks I was there for my rotation, and for the last one week I traveled around.
Q5So your father sponsored your Europe trip as well?
AYes, officer.
Q6Where are you going in the US?
AI am going to Lasante Medical Health Centre for my rotation, which is in Brooklyn, NY.
Q7Which hospital is it affiliated to?
ASunny Downstate Hospital, which is also in Brooklyn, NY.
Q8What will you do there?
AI will be observing patients under the supervision of a senior doctor; learning new ways of medical healthcare — starting from history taking of a patient to their treatment and discharge. The whole process that it involves.
Q9Will you treat patients there?
ANo, I will not be treating patients.
Q10Will you be able to make it to the US on time? (Rotation starts April 3, interview was March 28)
AYes — gave a convincing reply about the travel dates and confirmed the timeline was workable.
Tip from applicant: Be confident. Avoid blunders — imperfect answers are fine as long as you don't contradict yourself or say something clearly wrong. The officer seemed convinced and smiled.
Business Professional — Conference Attendee
Single applicant. Interview lasted 15 seconds. Officer was friendly and joking throughout.
Q1Where do you work?
AAnswered with employer name and role.
Q2How long have you been working with this organisation?
AAnswered with duration.
Q3How many people are you expecting in the conference?
AAnswered with estimated attendee count.
Note: Entire interview was 15 seconds. Officer cracked jokes throughout. Visa approved on the spot.
Solo Applicant — Tourism with Germany Stamp
Had prior Germany stamp. Appointment 9AM, inside by 8AM, out by 8:45AM. No documents asked or checked.
Q1What is the purpose of your visit?
AAnswered with travel/tourism purpose.
Q2What did you do in Germany? (previous stamp)
AExplained purpose of Germany visit.
Q3Are you going to come back to India?
AYes, confirmed intent to return with reasons.
Elderly Parents Visiting Son in the US
Telugu translator. Visiting son working in the US. No documents checked.
Q1What is your son doing in the US?
AAnswered with son's profession and role.
Q2Where does he stay?
AProvided son's city and address.
Q3What is your son's job role in his current company?
AAnswered with designation.
Q4Do you have any properties?
AConfirmed property ownership in India (demonstrates ties).
Q5How long will you stay in the US?
AGave specific number of weeks/months with intention to return.
Full Family Visa — Uncle, Sister & Brother
Visiting daughter/sister working in the US. Sister's visa status and invitation letter checked. Separate questions asked to each family member.
Uncle Q1What are you doing? Purpose of visiting?
AAnswered with occupation and purpose of visit.
Uncle Q2What is your daughter doing in the USA? Where is she staying and working?
AProvided daughter's employer, job, and address.
Uncle Q3What is your income and who is sponsoring this trip?
AStated annual income and explained sponsorship arrangement.
Uncle Q4Places you have visited before?
AListed prior international travel history.
Sister Q1What is she studying now and how many years are left to complete college?
AAnswered with course and remaining duration.
Brother Q1Young man, how old are you?
AAnswered with age.
Note: Officer asked to see sister's visa status and invitation letter. All three family members approved together.
Father-in-Law — Daughter's Graduation Ceremony
Telugu interview. Very fast and simple interaction. No documents checked.
Q1Purpose of visiting?
ADaughter's graduation ceremony.
Q2Annual income?
AStated annual income figure.
IT Professional — Full Time + Part Time Worker
VAC: Chennai. CA: Mumbai. Officer questioned how applicant manages both a full time and part time job simultaneously.
Q1Purpose of your visit?
AAnswered with specific purpose.
Q2Where are you going?
AProvided specific US city/destination.
Q3Where do you work and what is your job role?
AStated employer name and current designation.
Q4How do you manage a full time and part time job?
AExplained schedule and how both roles are managed.
Q5Do you have any relatives in India?
AYes, confirmed family ties in India.
Q6How long will you stay in the US?
AGave specific duration with return date.
Q7Where is your friend working and what is his designation?
AProvided friend's employer and role details.
Mother & Sister — Visiting Family in Michigan
Originally scheduled March 20, rescheduled due to technical issues. Hindi translator. Sister is a private school teacher, engaged (fiancé not travelling).
Q1What is the relationship between you two?
AShe is my mother.
Q2Where are you going?
AMichigan.
Q3What do you do?
AI am a teacher. Private employee.
Q4How much do you earn per month?
AStated monthly salary.
Mom Q1What is your occupation?
AI receive rental and farm land income.
Mom Q2How much income per year?
AStated annual income figure.
Q5Are you married?
AI'm engaged.
Q6Is your fiancé accompanying you?
ANo, he is currently working and cannot travel with me.
Couple — Visiting Son at US University
Self-sponsored. Son doing bachelor's (freshman). Business owner. Wife accompanied but no separate questions were asked to her.
Q1Purpose of visit?
AMy son is studying in the US and I want to visit him.
Q2What is he doing there — Masters or Bachelors?
AHe is doing his Bachelor's degree and is a freshman.
Q3Who is going to sponsor your trip?
AI will sponsor it myself.
Q4How long do you intend to stay?
A15 days.
Q5What do you do in India?
AI run my own business.
Q6How much is your income?
AStated income.
Note: No questions were asked to wife. No documents asked.
Re-applicant After February 2023 Rejection
First rejection: not confident enough, missed DS-160 details, tough officer. Reapplied with a new, detailed DS-160. Extensive international travel history. Owns farmland. 10-minute interview.
Q1Why do you want to visit the US?
AAnswered with specific purpose and plan.
Q2What do you do?
AAnswered with occupation.
Q3Why have you travelled to so many countries?
AExplained reasons for extensive travel history.
Q4How many days do you stay in each country? Why so many days?
AExplained typical stay duration and reasoning.
Q5Are you married? Any children?
AAnswered with marital status and children.
Q6What does your relative do in the US?
AAnswered with relative's profession and status.
Q7How did you get an appointment so fast? People are waiting a year.
AExplained how the appointment slot was booked.
Q8Do you do farming? (From prior mention of farmland as property)
AYes, I own farm land in India.
Key lesson: First rejection was due to lack of confidence and an incomplete DS-160. Reapplied with a fully detailed DS-160 and answered confidently — approved. If rejected, fix the DS-160 and improve your delivery.
Doctor — Clinical Observership in the US
Parents sponsoring the trip. Purpose: observing a physician and attending case discussions.
Q1Purpose of visit?
AClinical observership.
Q2Where in the US will you be going?
AAnswered with specific city.
Q3What will you do during the observership?
AI will observe a physician and have case discussions with him.
Q4How will you pay the expenses?
AMy parents will sponsor my trip.
Q5What do your parents do?
AAnswered with parents' occupation.
Parents + Brother (Doctor on Career Break)
Two separate applications combined into joint interview at applicants' request. Telugu translator. Brother (doctor) taking a career break to prepare for super-speciality exam, had a new job offer letter. Most questions directed at the brother.
Father Q1Purpose of your visit? Where are you going? What do you do (retired)?
AVisiting family in the US. Answered with retired status.
Father Q2How much do you earn?
AStated pension/income.
Mother Q1What do you do? What is your salary? Have you travelled to another country?
AGovernment employee. Stated salary. Previously visited UK.
Brother Q1What do you do? When did you graduate?
AI am a doctor. Graduated in [year].
Brother Q2What are you doing currently? Why did you take a career break?
AI am preparing for my super-speciality entrance exam.
Brother Q3Where did you work? How long? Why did you leave and when?
AAnswered with work history and reason for leaving.
Brother Q4Where is your new job? What is the hospital name and salary?
AProvided hospital name, city, and offered salary. Offered to show the offer letter — officer said not necessary.
Mother — Visiting Son & Seeing Harvard Library
Non-English speaker with Hindi-speaking officer. Widow. First time travelling to the US. Husband authored books in Harvard and US Congress libraries. Interview ended with the officer interrupting to approve.
Q1What is the purpose of your visit and for how long?
AI want to visit my son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren for about a month. It will be summer vacation for the grandkids and we don't get to spend time together often.
Q2So you will enjoy it and want to extend your stay. What is the guarantee you will return?
AI will return because I have lots of work here — full-time agriculture, rental properties to look after, my family in India, and a central government pension every month. I cannot stretch my stay.
Q3Do you have family or friends living in the United States?
ANo, I do not have any family or friends living in the United States.
Q4Have you ever travelled to the US before?
ANo, this will be my first time.
Q5Which cities will you be visiting?
AI will be visiting Boston, Washington DC, and New York City. I want to go to the library and museum there.
Q6Library? (puzzled)
AYes — my husband was an expert in Indo-US relations. He authored several books and his work is held at Harvard University and the US Congress library. I've seen it in the online catalogue, but nothing compares to seeing it with my own eyes.
Officer interrupted before she finished: "Ma'am, I'm convinced. Your visa is approved. Have a pleasant trip!" — A compelling personal reason to visit made a strong impression.
Researcher — B1 for Academic Conference
Biometrics at Delhi. CA at Mumbai. Total process took 50 minutes. No documents asked.
Q1Why are you going to the US?
ATo attend an academic conference.
Q2What research do you do?
AAnswered with research area and field.
Q3What is the conference about?
AAnswered with conference topic and details.
Wife & 3.5-Year-Old Child — Tourist Visa
Husband already has B1/B2 since 2014. Child under 14 — photos only needed, not present at interview. Wife has prior Canada, Switzerland, UK travel.
Q1Purpose of travel?
ATourism in the US.
Q2Have you travelled internationally before?
AYes — Canada, Switzerland, and UK for tourism.
Q3Does your husband have a visa? When did he last travel to the US?
AYes, he has had a B1/B2 since 2014. Stated last travel date.
Q4Will you travel alone or with family?
AWith family.
Q5Where do you want to travel in the US?
AListed desired US destinations.
Tip: Only passport and husband's visa copy were asked. No property papers or extensive documentation needed. Keep it simple.
IT Employee (30s) + Parents — Tourism
Unmarried. Applied together with parents. Has cousins in US but initially mentioned only "tourism." Officer cross-checked DS-160 contact person — found cousin — probed further.
Q1What is the relationship between the three of you?
AI am with my parents.
Q2Why the US?
ATourism only.
Q3Is it only tourism and no family? (after checking DS-160 contact)
AActually I have a cousin there too — in NJ. Corrected the answer honestly.
Q4What do your parents do? What did your father do before retirement?
AAnswered with parents' occupations.
Q5What do you do? Who will sponsor?
AIT professional. I will self-sponsor the trip.
Q6Any international travel history?
AYes — mentioned all international travel including a Europe tour.
Q7Tell me about the tour and places you will visit. Will you visit your cousin in NJ?
AYes, planned to visit cousin and various tourist places. Gave itinerary.
Lesson: The DS-160 contact field is reviewed. If you have family in the US, be upfront — the officer will find it anyway. Honest correction in the interview is fine.
Couple — Visiting Brother in US
Hindi translator used. Brother sponsored the trip. Translator noted to not have relayed all answers fully. Business owner with 5 employees. Wife is housewife with no children. Only prior travel: Singapore.
Q1How are you related?
AHusband and wife.
Q2Why do you want to go to the US?
ATravel — my brother has planned the trip.
Q3What does your brother do?
AAnswered with brother's profession.
Q4For how many days do you want to go?
A24 days — June 24 to July 18, flight tickets are booked. (Note: translator reportedly only relayed "24 days")
Q5What do you do?
ABusiness — gave short details about the business.
Q6How many people work under you?
A5 employees.
Wife Q1Are you also in business?
ANo, I am a housewife.
Wife Q2Do you have any kids?
ANo.
Q7Do you live with parents?
AYes.
Q8Have you travelled outside India?
AYes — Singapore.
Likely reason for rejection: Weak ties to India — no children, wife is a housewife with no independent income, limited travel history, brother is the sole reason to visit and also the sponsor. The officer may have seen insufficient motivation to return to India. If you can speak some English, avoid relying on a translator who may not relay the full answer.
Solo Female Applicant — Husband Name Mismatch
Husband had US visa since 2018. Husband's name spelling differed slightly between applicant's passport and his own passport ('I' vs 'EE'). Passport authority had confirmed the difference was acceptable — but the VO could not find the husband's entry by name. No prior international travel. Prior rejection in 2017.
Q1Why do you want to travel to the US?
AAnswered with purpose of visit.
Q2Who stays there? Where does he stay?
AAnswered with relative's details and address.
Q3What do you do?
AShared professional experience.
Q4What brings you back here?
AI have my family and my job here.
Q5What is your annual income? What is your husband's income?
AStated both incomes.
Q6Does your husband have a US visa? Show me his visa/passport.
AHe has a US visa since 2018. I did not have a copy of his passport. Officer searched by name, DOB, father's name — found no match due to name spelling difference (I vs EE).
Q7Have you travelled abroad?
AI have not travelled abroad yet.
Q8When did you apply for a visa before? What changed since 2017?
AApplied in 2017 and was rejected. Explained what had changed since then.
Lesson: If your spouse has a US visa, always carry a copy of their passport. A name spelling discrepancy between documents caused the officer to fail to verify the husband's visa. This alone likely caused the rejection. Ensure all names across documents are consistent — or carry an explanation affidavit.
Solo Applicant + Mother — Brother (Green Card) in US
Both attended together. Applicant: MNC employee for 6 years. Mother: state govt employee for 18 years. Brother: green card holder living in US for 8 years. Mother was approved; applicant was rejected.
Q1What is the purpose of the visit?
ATo visit brother in the US.
Q2How long are you going to stay?
AStated duration.
Q3Who is going to pay for your visit?
ABrother will sponsor.
Q4What does your brother do? What visa is he on? (Asked for GC copy)
AHe is a green card holder. Provided green card copy.
Q5What company do you work for and what is your annual salary?
AAnswered with MNC name and salary.
Q6Are you married? Any siblings in India?
AAnswered.
Mom Q1What does your husband do?
AHe is expired (deceased).
Analysis: Applicant is single, both parents either deceased or retired, and only sibling is a green card holder who has lived abroad for 8 years. The officer likely saw too little reason for the applicant to return to India — not enough demonstrated "home ties." Mother was approved (retired, stable pension, different risk profile). To reapply: emphasize job stability, property, savings, and any other family remaining in India.
