Video summary

Why Only His F1 Visa Got Approved But Other 20 Students Got Rejected at Mumbai Consulate | MS In US

Main summary

Key takeaways

News and Commentary

Overview

The video centers on a US F1 student-visa interview story from the Mumbai consulate. It describes how only one applicant—Harikrishna “HK” Trivedi—reportedly succeeded, while about 20–20-ish others in his queue were rejected.

Key points from HK’s account

Queue outcome and rejection pattern

  • HK says he arrived early, around 8:15–8:30 a.m., for a 10:10 a.m. slot.
  • He observed the interview process from inside the consulate and claims:
    • multiple applicants were rejected quickly, and
    • approval/rejection decisions appeared to happen rapidly once applicants began speaking.

Standout rejection example

  • HK recounts watching a woman who brought extensive documentation—described as a large “harmonium folder”.
  • She reportedly presented paperwork for 10–15 minutes, but was ultimately rejected, leaving visibly distressed.

Waiting, officer behavior, and windows

  • HK notes that student applicants were seated by language and then funneled into lines by visa type.
  • He says there were four student-visa windows (26–29).
  • According to him, some windows showed repeated rejections close to his turn.

HK’s interview: turning point and questions

When his turn came, HK says the officer asked a focused set of questions centered on sponsorship and his future plan after studying in the US:

  1. Introduce yourself
  2. Who is sponsoring your education?
    • HK says it was his father via an education loan
  3. What is your future plan after a US master’s?
    • He describes this as the “dreaded” question

HK’s answer strategy

HK frames his response as a cohesive narrative connecting:

  • his background,
  • his master’s in Computer Science specializing in AI at NJIT,
  • and his family’s health-care business, as the reason he would apply learned AI/healthcare skills back in India.

Administrative outcome and social media check

  • HK says the officer gave him a 221(g) form, which he interprets as additional review rather than an outright denial.
  • He also claims the officer asked whether his social media accounts are public, and that the consulate would review them.
  • HK interprets this as approval pending vetting, not rejection.

Time to final approval

  • HK reports that while his visa was approved, it took about four days to be updated and dispatched.
  • He repeatedly checked online and worried about social media activity (particularly anything he may have posted or liked related to politics).
  • He later learned the visa was dispatched after a check with a friend when he was on campus for a university presentation.

Context about others’ outcomes

  • HK states that 10 friends applying to the same program/course received acceptances around the same time (within 1–2 days).
  • He says his approval took longer due to the extra review process tied to 221(g).

Overall takeaway (as presented in the commentary)

  • Visa outcomes may hinge on delivering a tight, consistent story, especially the future plan question.
  • Compliance and review factors—such as social media visibility and post-interview review (221(g))—may also play a significant role.
  • The video is framed as guidance for other applicants on how to structure answers and handle the feared question about plans after a master’s.

Presenters / contributors

  • Host/Interviewer: (name not stated in subtitles)
  • Guest: Harikrishna Trivedi (“HK”)
  • Mentioned organization/program: Study Abroad Accelerator program (referred to by “me,” specific name not stated)

Original video