An Indian student who planned to pursue a master’s degree in biomedical engineering at Michigan Technological University says his U.S. student visa application was denied after a short interview at the U.S. Consulate in Mumbai, according to a Reddit post that has drawn attention from other international students.
The applicant described what he called a difficult day for many students appearing for visa interviews at the Mumbai facility. According to his account, the center was heavily crowded and interviews did not begin until fingerprinting procedures for applicants had been completed.
“I think the entire batch got unlucky today,” the student wrote, adding that his interview started at around 10:30 a.m., despite his scheduled appointment being earlier in the day.
The student, who holds a bachelor’s degree in bioengineering from India and had been admitted to Michigan Technological University’s MS in Biomedical Engineering program, said the interview lasted only a few minutes and centered on just a handful of questions before he was handed a refusal notice under Section 214(b) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act.
Describing the interaction, the applicant said the visa officer immediately requested his passport.
“VO: (Immediately) Hand me your passport,” the student recalled, adding, “I didnt got chance to even greet him.”
According to the post, the officer then asked whether he had experienced harm or racism in the United States and whether he expected to face similar issues if he returned.
The student said he answered “No Sir” to both questions before being asked to provide his Form I-20.
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When the officer asked why he had chosen Michigan Technological University, the applicant said he began explaining the school’s academic strengths.
“Michigan Tech is a elite R1 rated Research University, which offers hands on medical device training,” he wrote, noting that he was interrupted before finishing his answer.
The officer then shifted the conversation to the student’s college applications.
“How many universities did you apply?” the officer asked, according to the applicant.
The student responded that he had applied to five universities and listed “Johns Hopkins University, Rensselaer Polytechnic, University of Maryland, Michigan Tech, Yale.”
Moments later, the interview was over.
“VO: I am sorry but I cannot offer you US visa today,” the student wrote.
The denial was reportedly issued under Section 214(b), a provision frequently cited in nonimmigrant visa refusals when applicants are unable to satisfy eligibility requirements or convince consular officers of their intent to return to their home country after completing their studies.
In an update to the post, the applicant suggested that several students interviewed at the same counter received similar decisions that day.
“One more thing I want mention that the counter where my interview was held rejected the guys before and after me as well,” he wrote.
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The student claimed that one applicant admitted to Johns Hopkins University with a scholarship was denied, while another student who “explained everything” also received a refusal.
He further alleged that a graduate of BITS Pilani with seven years of work experience, who was pursuing an MBA at the University of Rochester and had a GMAT score of approximately 700, was also denied a visa.
“Bad day for everyone ig,” the student concluded.
The post prompted discussion among other Reddit users, some of whom offered their own interpretations of the outcome.
“I think what ticked the vo off was your selection of the universities. Ranging from tier 1-3, it might have given him the vibe that you just wanna enter the usa at all costs. What surprised me was the harm and racism question, so direct,” one user commented.
Another user shared a different experience at the same consulate.
“I also gave my interview at Mumbai Consulate on 8th June. I am surprised as you are telling that a John Hopkins student with a full waiver was denied of approval. I’m a fully funded masters student and was approved the moment I answered the sponsorship related question.”
The claims made in the Reddit post and comments could not be independently verified. U.S. consular officers do not publicly discuss individual visa decisions, and visa adjudications are made on a case-by-case basis.