F1 Visa Interview -> Approved (No university related questions asked lol)
VAC Experience (7th May 2026 – Mumbai)
9 AM appointment. Reached around 8:30 AM and was done by 8:45 AM. Super easy and smooth process overall.
F1 Visa Interview Experience (15th May 2026 – Mumbai)
9 AM appointment. Entered around 9:10 AM and was out by 10:30 AM.
Me: Good morning officer.
VO: Good morning, pass me your passport and I-20.
Me: Here you go.
VO: When did you graduate?
Me: 2024, from X College. (Tier 2 College)
VO: Can you repeat the college name?
Me: Sure, it’s X College located in X City.
VO: [starts typing aggressively lol, probably searching for the college/ranking] What have you been doing since then?
Me: Working at X (MNC) as an AI Developer.
VO: Do you have harm in your country?
Me: No.
VO: Do you have any harm returning back to India?
Me: No, not at all.
VO: How many colleges did you apply to?
Me: I applied to 6 other colleges. Do you want me to name them?
VO: Yes please.
Me: Northwestern, Stanford, UMass, Purdue, UCLA, and UCB.
VO: What was your GRE score?
Me: I did not give the GRE since it was optional for my program.
VO: [stares aggressively xD I guess he didn’t expect that answer lol] Okay. [noticed immigration stamp on passport] Have you ever traveled outside India?
Me: Yes officer, I went to Singapore last month for a vacation.
VO: Okay, I am refusing your visa currently under 221(g). It is basically going through administrative processing. Are your social media public?
Me: Yes officer, thank you.
He kept my passport, handed me the white 221(g) slip, and returned my I-20 and SEVIS receipt.
Update:
CEAC status changed from Refused → Approved (same day around 1 PM) → Issued (18th May around 11 AM).
Received passport on 20th May.