‘Please ensure your…’: Indian Student Secures F-1 Visa After 221g Scare

A 28-year-old Indian student has successfully obtained an F-1 visa at the U.S. Consulate in Hyderabad after initially receiving a 221g white slip during the interview process. The student is set to begin a fully funded PhD in Civil & Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Davis. While the process was initially nerve-wracking, it concluded with a same-day visa approval, as shared by the student on Reddit (r/usvisascheduling) on July 29.

Visa Timeline and Interview Experience
The applicant completed their biometrics appointment on July 14, 2025, and attended the visa interview on July 21, 2025, scheduled for 10:00 AM. Despite arriving early at 8:30 AM, the experience was smooth up until the unexpected 221g slip.

• “The process before the interview went smoothly — from security checks to document verification. The staff was professional and helpful, especially since this was my first time going through it,” the student shared.

The visa officer, described as a “middle-aged white woman who avoided eye contact with almost everyone,” asked a few brief and direct questions:

VO: Can I have your passport and I-20?
Me: Good morning, Officer! (no response) [Hands over documents]
VO: Did you apply to any other universities?
Me: No, Officer. Just UC Davis.
VO: Did you complete your master’s recently?
Me: No, I completed my master’s in 2022 from the UK.
VO: Who’s funding this degree?
Me: The university is funding the degree, Officer.

The officer then issued a 221g white slip, retaining the applicant’s passport but not requesting any additional documents. She simply said:

• “Please ensure your social media accounts are public. That’s it. Thank you.”

The applicant noted, “She seemed to have already decided to issue the 221g — I noticed her filling out the form as soon as the interview began.”

Fast Turnaround Despite 221g
Although the issuance of the 221g slip caused initial concern, the situation resolved quickly. The visa was approved later that same evening, and the passport was issued on July 22 and collected on July 24, 2025.

• “It felt like a rejection at first, especially when handed the 221g slip, but everything turned out fine. I didn’t have to submit anything extra. The interview was brief, and overall, the process was smooth despite the scare.”

The student also thanked the online community that supported their journey:

• “This Reddit group was incredibly helpful in preparing me for the interview. Thank you to everyone who shares their experiences!”

Disclaimer:
This story is based on a post shared by a Reddit user. The details, opinions, and statements quoted herein belong solely to the original poster and do not reflect the views of Myedugoal. We have not independently verified the claims and cannot vouch for their accuracy.

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