Indian Student’s F-1 Visa Rejected Despite Admission to University of Texas at Arlington

An Indian student’s dream of pursuing a Master’s degree in the United States was recently cut short when his F-1 student visa was denied by the US Embassy in India, despite a seemingly smooth visa interview.

The student had secured admission to the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) for an MS in Computer Science and Information Systems. During the interview, he outlined his academic background, which includes a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science from Muffakham Jah College of Engineering and Technology (MJCET).

He discussed relevant coursework such as Machine Learning, Data Science, and Software Engineering, and also shared his second choice of university—California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). He explained the differences in curriculum between the two institutions, highlighting his academic intentions clearly.

Despite providing composed and relevant responses, the visa officer abruptly ended the interview and denied the visa application. No specific reason was given for the rejection, as is typical with refusals under Section 214(b) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act. This clause often relates to concerns about the applicant’s intent to return to their home country or the overall credibility of their academic plans.

Online discussions suggest the choice of university may have played a role in the denial. One Reddit user commented, “Your answers were fine but those universities are questionable. I lived in the DFW area, and many Indians working illegally off-campus were from UT Arlington and UT Dallas. When they get caught, DHS likely flags the school, which affects future applicants.”

Another user echoed the sentiment: “UTA is a red flag. I don’t know its academic standing, but it’s commonly used by agencies helping people immigrate under questionable circumstances.”

While these views reflect individual opinions, they highlight a broader issue: universities with reputational concerns may affect visa outcomes, regardless of an applicant’s qualifications.

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