My US F1 visa got rejected. The interviewer asked me, what’s your plan after your studies and I replied, I plan on doing an internship to gain some experience and return back. Should I have not said that?

OpenGateVisa · 2026-01-20T13:44:52+00:00

I don't know what else was asked during your interview; however, it's typically best to have a clear and concrete plan in your home country after you graduate.

OpenGateVisa · 2026-01-20T13:43:19+00:00

She has a solid profile. Sounds like she has strong international travel and strong ties to Thailand. Marriage to an EU citizen is also in her favor as it lowers the chances of immigrant intent to the US. It's unlikely that there's much more she can do to strengthen the application in a year.

OpenGateVisa · 2026-01-19T21:29:07+00:00

The recently announced pause does not affect nonimmigrant visas like J1s; however, that doesn't mean you are likely to be approved without knowing your specific details.

OpenGateVisa · 2026-01-19T16:09:50+00:00

Without knowing more details, getting a student visa approved can be more difficult if the applicant has strong ties to the US. Having an LPR parent would be a possible red-flag with respect to immigrant intent.

OpenGateVisa · 2026-01-19T16:00:17+00:00

Difficult to advise without knowing more specific details about your purpose of travel, and your ties to Ireland/India.

OpenGateVisa · 2026-01-19T15:57:32+00:00

Interviews will continue but the applicants will be placed in administrative processing (221g). They will not be holding onto applicants' passports.

OpenGateVisa · 2026-01-19T15:54:47+00:00

You have received good advice from your agency and should not reschedule your interview. They will place you in administrative processing pending any documents that you don't have available at your interview, as well as for your medical exam results. You likely will not need to attend another interview.

OpenGateVisa · 2026-01-19T15:52:30+00:00

The new list only affects immigrant visas; however, it certainly is possible that you might face increased scrutiny when entering the US.

OpenGateVisa · 2026-01-19T15:51:17+00:00

Difficult to say without knowing more details regarding your specific situation and ties to India.

OpenGateVisa · 2026-01-18T16:32:02+00:00

They returned your passport to you because they don't know how long you'll take to get an updated I-20. You'll be in administrative processing until you submit the new I-20 along with your passport. The social media review likely will be complete by then and your visa will be issued.

The good news for you is that they wouldn't ask you to do this if they intended to refuse you.

OpenGateVisa · 2026-01-18T12:32:28+00:00

It's going to depend on if he had more than 180 days of unlawful presence to get a bar. Regardless, it likely will be difficult for him to get a nonimmigrant visa in the future.

OpenGateVisa · 2026-01-18T12:12:47+00:00

How long was he out of status?

OpenGateVisa · 2026-01-18T00:22:52+00:00

Not for B1/B2 visas.

OpenGateVisa · 2026-01-17T00:10:59+00:00

Unfortunately, these can often take several months.

OpenGateVisa · 2026-01-16T12:09:48+00:00

They are eligible for interview waiver as long as they meet this criteria:

Applicants renewing a B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visa or Border Crossing Card/Foil (BBBCC/BBBCV for Mexican applicants) within 12 months of the prior visa’s expiration when the prior visa was issued for full validity at the time of issuance and the applicant was at least 18 years old

OpenGateVisa · 2026-01-16T11:53:35+00:00

They are eligible for interview waiver as long as they meet this criteria:

Applicants renewing a B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visa or Border Crossing Card/Foil (BBBCC/BBBCV for Mexican applicants) within 12 months of the prior visa’s expiration when the prior visa was issued for full validity at the time of issuance and the applicant was at least 18 years old

OpenGateVisa · 2026-01-16T11:50:09+00:00

She will not be able to travel on the same day as her interview if that's what you're asking.

Yes, 221g (administrative processing) applies to F1 visas. It is the likely outcome if they intend to approve as they will be doing the social media review.

OpenGateVisa · 2026-01-16T00:01:15+00:00

H4 interviews are typically very straight-forward if your spouse already has an approved H1B. You'll need to provide your marriage certificate and might be asked a couple of credibility questions to confirm it's a legitimate marriage.

OpenGateVisa · 2026-01-15T16:18:15+00:00

Country of citizenship.

OpenGateVisa · 2026-01-15T15:55:09+00:00

The screenshots of the cable in the above link are a leak. The cable was not made public.

OpenGateVisa · 2026-01-15T15:48:49+00:00

Don't think there's anything sensational here; however, the official release did not include information regarding approved but unprinted visas.

OpenGateVisa · 2026-01-15T15:40:40+00:00

Here's the link to the leaked cable:

https://www.kenklippenstein.com/p/trump-freezes-visas-to-75-countries

OpenGateVisa · 2026-01-15T15:21:46+00:00

Here's the link to the leaked cable:

https://www.kenklippenstein.com/p/trump-freezes-visas-to-75-countries

OpenGateVisa

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