Anjali Verma
They say that getting a US visa is difficult and so was my first impression when I started reading about how to apply and got to know about the waiting period and rate of rejection specially for single women of marriage-able age.
So the story starts in Jan 2024 when I filled my DS-160 form myself after speaking with half a dozen agents who were asking for 15k just for filling the form and another 20k for getting an appointment at a sooner date.
Well, since I did not have the urgency, I took my time, did some research and found out that apart from the waiting period everything else is pretty easy when it comes to processing the application.
You just have to go to the official website and fill out a form (DS-160) for a tourist visa which is often referred to as a B2 visa for business and pleasure. No need to upload any documents as well.
I had some good and bad experiences at visa applications as I have been to 5 countries including UK, Singapore, Thailand, Nepal and UAE and the USA visa, in my opinion is unnecessarily hyped to be difficult to get.
So, I filled out the form and got my OFS appointment i.e. biometric collection and consulate i.e. interview in September 2024.
The biometric one was more painful as I had to wait in Mumbai’s heat for around 1 hour outside the OFS office. What made it more painful was to see elderly people waiting and looking clueless about how much time it’s gonna take.
They do not have much facilities to even seat many people.
Finally when I got in, there was more queuing inside. Got the biometric done in 2 hours on a regular day.
Coming to the interview part which makes people nervous – I had my appointment super early in the morning and it turned out to be a good thing. I got to beat the Mumbai heat and my interviewer seemed to be in a good mood since it was just the start of the day.
I was 11th in the queue for the English speaking line and the 2nd one for my interviewer. Now the real stuff starts-
Me- (Handing over my passport) Good morning sir!
He- Good morning, what’s your name and what do you do?
Me- My name is Anjali Verma and I work as a product manager.
He- Why do you want to go to the USA.
Me- I am a traveller, I’ve been to 5 countries in the last 15 months and the USA is on my wish list.
He- Which all countries have you been to?
Me- proudly blurted names of all 5.
He- Do you have any friends or relatives in the USA?
Me- No
He- Are you planning the trip with any travel agent?
Me- No, I’ve done all 5 countries by myself and I have prepared my itinerary for the US as well (Blabbered my itinerary confidently)
He- Do you have any friends or relatives in the USA? (Yes, he asked again)
Me- with a straight face- NO
He- Your Visa is approved.
Very great insightful article!