Woman’s F-1 Visa Rejected After 3 Questions: Mention of Spouse in U.S. Sparks Debate Online

A woman from Delhi recently shared her experience of having her U.S. student visa (F-1) denied after a brief interview, raising discussions across student forums and immigration communities. Despite thorough preparation and a transparent approach, her mention of having a spouse already living in the U.S. may have raised concerns for the consular officer.

The visa interview took place on May 29 at the U.S. Embassy. According to a post she made on Reddit’s r/USVisa, the interaction lasted only a few minutes. After submitting her passport and I-20 form, she was asked three basic questions: her reason for traveling to the U.S., her choice of universities, and her ties to the country. She answered that she planned to pursue a master’s degree, highlighted her experience working with U.S.-based clients, and mentioned that her husband currently resides in the United States.

The visa officer responded quickly with: “Sorry, your visa cannot be approved at this time.”

Her post quickly gained attention, with many users pointing out that mentioning her husband’s presence in the U.S. may have signaled potential immigrant intent—a red flag for student visa applicants. While she believed in being open and honest, some felt her answers could have been better framed.

One Reddit user commented, “It’s pretty evident why you were rejected… Mentioning your husband in the U.S. could easily look like you're using the F-1 visa as a way to reunite with him.” Another wrote, “If your goal is to be close to your spouse, a dependent visa like H4 would be more appropriate. Student visas require clear non-immigrant intent.”

Now reconsidering her next steps, the applicant is debating between reapplying for the F-1 visa with improved documentation and framing, or pursuing an H4 visa as a dependent of her spouse.

Her story serves as a cautionary tale for prospective international students: in U.S. visa interviews, transparency is important—but how you present your situation can significantly impact the outcome.

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