PhD Student’s F-1 Visa Approved in 30 Seconds at US Consulate in Kolkata

A Biological Engineering PhD student recently shared their surprisingly swift F-1 visa interview experience at the U.S. Consulate in Kolkata, describing the process as “smooth, efficient, and unexpectedly fast.” The entire interaction with the visa officer lasted just 30 seconds, according to a Reddit post shared by the applicant.

The student completed their biometric appointment at the Kolkata Offsite Facilitation Center (OFC) on April 22, where standard procedures like fingerprinting and a photograph were taken. “It was pretty easy,” the student noted.

Arriving at the consulate at 7:30 AM for an 8:00 AM appointment, the student encountered a long queue, but reported that the process moved quickly once inside. The visa officer, described as a young American male, was reportedly “approving visas left and right.”

During the interview, the officer asked just three key questions, primarily confirming the applicant’s Research Assistant (RA) position and their Master’s degree from India. After verifying the responses, the officer smiled and said, “Your visa is approved! Don’t forget to carry your I-20 while entering the U.S.”

The student said the entire interview lasted only about half a minute, and their passport—stamped with the F-1 visa—was returned within a week.

The post quickly gained attention on Reddit, with many users praising the officer’s efficiency and speculating on the streamlined nature of the process for fully funded PhD candidates.

“I feel that the consular officers consider a PhD a more ‘legit’ degree, especially when it’s fully funded,” one user commented. “So it makes sense that they would approve it at a higher rate than, say, a visa for an overly saturated field like a master’s in computer science.”

The story offers a rare glimpse into a fast-track visa approval experience, providing some reassurance for future applicants amid growing anxiety around U.S. student visa policies.

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