Got a US Visa today (F1), funny interview:
OK, I refer to the Visa Officer as VO from hereon:
First of all, security threw me out because I had a digital watch. No problems, I left that outside and went back in. They had forbidden everything else digital (cameras, phones, calculators) but had never explicitly mentioned watches as far as I can remember.
I entered the consulate, went to counter number 1 and was fingerprinted. Submitted documents.
Next, I sat down and waited for my number to be called. They called out 6 numbers, one of which was mine, to counter number 7. When my turn came, the VO said he hadn’t called my number. I apologized and he said it was OK, I should go out and wait. After another twenty minutes I was called to counter number 13. Luckily I am not superstitious.
When I entered counter number 13, I saw that he had a fingerprint scanner there. None of the other counters (except counter 1 of course) had one. Oh no. Maybe my fingerprints matched that of a terrorist and I was going to be sent to Guantanamo.
But he never used the scanner so I guess it was just lying there. Normally counter number 13 is not used at all I have been told (I suppose it is reserved for some other purpose), but they must have a lot of rush, what with all the students adding on to the usual lot of visa seekers.
(I hand the VO the pink token which has my number on it)
VO: So how are you today.
Me: Fine. Good morning.
VO: You know how this goes right?
Me: Well, yeah.
VO: (with a deadpan expression) I only accept 50% and I just accepted the last guy. So I am going to have to reject you. You should go now.
Me: <Grin> Maybe I’ll be lucky. (Other dudes might have actually turned around or gotten flustered. I know how Americans talk, so I had no problems in realizing he was just having some fun)
VO: (starts looking at the visa form DS-156). Oh, so you are going to the University of Texas at Austin.
Me: (Very happy because this is supposed to impress visa officers. Mostly they let you through without many questions after seeing a good school, and UTA is in the top ten) Yes.
VO: It’s a lousy school.
Me: <Eh? Must be up to his jokes again>
VO: I am going to have to reject you because I studied at Texas A&M.
Me: (Understanding dawns. Texas A&M and UTA are forever at loggerheads. They are arch rivals, sort of India-Pakistan type. The third longest running sports rivalry in the US. A&M is especially pissed off because in January 2006 UTA won Division I-A national football championship by beating the USC Trojans in the Rose Bowl.). <Chuckling> I have heard of the rivalry.
VO: Oh, I am going to have to reject you. What are you going to do in Austin?
Me: (Insert technical answer here).
VO: Oh, so you are going to that lousy school because all the good schools rejected you?
Me: Well, it is one of the few that offers my field <Big smile>
VO: Where do you study ….(I show him marksheets etc)
VO: How are you going to pay (show him father’s income tax returns, explain he is semi-retired, show bank statements. He does not want CA statement or self prepared statement of assets).
VO: (Returns the I-20. I am worried for a second, then remember that he is supposed to do that even if I get the visa. Types something on his PC). OK, if you want to make a big mistake and go to that lousy school….
Me: Thank you. Good day.
OK, I refer to the Visa Officer as VO from hereon:
First of all, security threw me out because I had a digital watch. No problems, I left that outside and went back in. They had forbidden everything else digital (cameras, phones, calculators) but had never explicitly mentioned watches as far as I can remember.
I entered the consulate, went to counter number 1 and was fingerprinted. Submitted documents.
Next, I sat down and waited for my number to be called. They called out 6 numbers, one of which was mine, to counter number 7. When my turn came, the VO said he hadn’t called my number. I apologized and he said it was OK, I should go out and wait. After another twenty minutes I was called to counter number 13. Luckily I am not superstitious.
When I entered counter number 13, I saw that he had a fingerprint scanner there. None of the other counters (except counter 1 of course) had one. Oh no. Maybe my fingerprints matched that of a terrorist and I was going to be sent to Guantanamo.
But he never used the scanner so I guess it was just lying there. Normally counter number 13 is not used at all I have been told (I suppose it is reserved for some other purpose), but they must have a lot of rush, what with all the students adding on to the usual lot of visa seekers.
(I hand the VO the pink token which has my number on it)
VO: So how are you today.
Me: Fine. Good morning.
VO: You know how this goes right?
Me: Well, yeah.
VO: (with a deadpan expression) I only accept 50% and I just accepted the last guy. So I am going to have to reject you. You should go now.
Me: <Grin> Maybe I’ll be lucky. (Other dudes might have actually turned around or gotten flustered. I know how Americans talk, so I had no problems in realizing he was just having some fun)
VO: (starts looking at the visa form DS-156). Oh, so you are going to the University of Texas at Austin.
Me: (Very happy because this is supposed to impress visa officers. Mostly they let you through without many questions after seeing a good school, and UTA is in the top ten) Yes.
VO: It’s a lousy school.
Me: <Eh? Must be up to his jokes again>
VO: I am going to have to reject you because I studied at Texas A&M.
Me: (Understanding dawns. Texas A&M and UTA are forever at loggerheads. They are arch rivals, sort of India-Pakistan type. The third longest running sports rivalry in the US. A&M is especially pissed off because in January 2006 UTA won Division I-A national football championship by beating the USC Trojans in the Rose Bowl.). <Chuckling> I have heard of the rivalry.
VO: Oh, I am going to have to reject you. What are you going to do in Austin?
Me: (Insert technical answer here).
VO: Oh, so you are going to that lousy school because all the good schools rejected you?
Me: Well, it is one of the few that offers my field <Big smile>
VO: Where do you study ….(I show him marksheets etc)
VO: How are you going to pay (show him father’s income tax returns, explain he is semi-retired, show bank statements. He does not want CA statement or self prepared statement of assets).
VO: (Returns the I-20. I am worried for a second, then remember that he is supposed to do that even if I get the visa. Types something on his PC). OK, if you want to make a big mistake and go to that lousy school….
Me: Thank you. Good day.
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"the tuffest one atleast 4 me
