A recent incident at the US Consulate in Hyderabad has highlighted a potential shift in how F-1 student visa interviews are being conducted—especially for graduate applicants in technical fields.
Visa Rejected After Unexpected Technical Questions
On May 30, 2025, a student hoping to join Indiana University Bloomington’s Applied Data Science program was denied an F-1 visa after being asked several unexpected technical questions during the consular interview. The session began with routine queries about his current academic status, the universities he had applied to, and his undergraduate project. But soon, the officer veered into technical territory—quizzing the applicant beyond the usual scope of student visa interviews.
Despite answering questions about his university choices and program selection, the student faced a sudden visa refusal, shocking many who consider such interviews to be more procedural than academically rigorous.
What Is the F-1 Visa?
The F-1 visa is the most widely used visa category for international students pursuing full-time academic courses in the United States. It allows entry into the country up to 30 days before the program starts, with conditions like maintaining full-time enrollment and restrictions on employment. Students can work part-time on campus and may use Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT) to gain job experience in their field of study.
Emerging Trends: Increased Scrutiny for STEM Applicants
The Hyderabad incident is not isolated. There has been a rising trend of subject-specific or technical questions being asked at US visa interviews—particularly for students applying to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs at the graduate level. This seems to be part of a broader strategy to ensure students are academically qualified and not using study visas as a backdoor entry into the US job market.
Conclusion
For students eyeing advanced degrees in the US, especially in technical fields, it is no longer enough to meet academic and financial criteria. Visa interviews now demand a deeper grasp of the subject matter. As the US tightens its visa policies, aspiring applicants must be better prepared—academically and strategically—to clear this evolving hurdle.
