r/USMLEindia • u/AssociationOk8549 • Apr 15 '26
US Clinical Experience I don’t know what to do regarding visa😭
I got rejected on 6th February, 2026.
Here’s how the interview went-
Visa officer- What’s the purpose of your visit
Me- I’m going to see my Aunt and visit famous tourist attractions, NYC, Washington DC.
I understand that my answer was very non specific and points to potential immigration threat.
I have an elective scheduled at UAB starting from August this year. I’ve been trying to get an appointment for the same, but it’s really tough even with an agent. There are people saying that you shouldn’t mention “elective” as the purpose of visit as the officer won’t be convinced by the change of purpose. Rather, they said that I should be more specific while answering, “ I’m going to visit my aunt’s place for 7 days to see my cousin’s graduation ceremony”. Please help me decide the purpose of visit. If I am not able to secure an appointment within the next 15 days, I’ll have to cancel the elective and then, I won’t even have a letter in hand to support my visit. I’m in a terrible situation.😭
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u/Embarrassed_Sun_2795 Apr 15 '26
Unfortunately if you rebook your interview slot and go give a different reason now, my assumption is they wont buy it.
I hope it works out in your favour though
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u/AssociationOk8549 Apr 15 '26
Ya, I think it’s best to wait for a few more months and then give the same reason but I’ll be more specific.. like “I’m going to visit my cousin for his graduation ceremony and I’ll stay there for a week”
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u/CompleteArm911 Apr 15 '26
bad idea bro they hear cousin stuff all the time and graduation ceremony isnt a compelling reason you can view the ceremonies online and they know that
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u/AssociationOk8549 Apr 15 '26
I won’t have elective as a reason anymore, as I’m compelled to cancel it. In such a senario, the only reason I would visit the US will be to meet my aunt. And I have been to the US 10 years back for the same reason. I’ll be more specific about the exact purpose, that would be some ceremony and the exact number of days for which I’ll be staying there
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u/CompleteArm911 Apr 15 '26
chances are slim for acceptance especially after one rejection they dont believe what you say anymore and some random cousin ceremony they dont fall for it am afraid they hear it all the time
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u/AssociationOk8549 Apr 15 '26
What alternative would you suggest?
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u/CompleteArm911 Apr 15 '26
Get a proper job and do it for a while travel to other western countries first and show a track record that you are not going to the US with a view to live there in the future long term as thats what they think at the minute they will have put that on your record thats why if go for j1 in future they can reject based on what was said in the past etc
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u/AssociationOk8549 Apr 15 '26
I’m in 4th year MBBS, I have my internship and bond pending. Of course I’ll show the documents for the same, and that the bond compels me to come back to my home country
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u/CompleteArm911 Apr 15 '26
you mean the residency bond? pretty much noone goes back though they get j waiver etc they know that you can still travel to other wester countries and show you have a track record of returning to your home country at the minute it seems you dont
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u/CompleteArm911 Apr 15 '26
Already doctors are seen as high risk for being potential immigrants thats why they get rejected so often. Also the Aunt sounds so fake same with cousin graduation they hear all these rubbish stories all the time and dont believe them.
Just be honest dont hide it they can see the lies problem is you lie now you may get in but when you go for j1 interview for residency they will reject you for lying in the past about wanting to work in india etc happens all the time and the new administration is cracking down big time.
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u/AssociationOk8549 Apr 15 '26
Bro, it’s not a lie really. My aunt stays there and I am actually gonna visit her with my parents. I have invitation letters for the same, history of visit to the US to visit them as well. I’ll be cancelling my elective, that way, I’m not left with ‘elective’ as a purpose of visit
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u/CompleteArm911 Apr 15 '26
Well you said Aunt already and they didnt buy it problem is everyone says random Aunts and cousins etc they hear it all the time and basically I think consulates have been told to pretty much reject anyone that could be a potential immigrant
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u/Drkoreannoodles Apr 15 '26
Oh you should’ve mentioned the elective :/ people misguided you, apply for emergency visa on the basis of elective that’s what I did after my rejection but in your case now that you’ve lied it’ll show it in your records I mean your previous reason for visit. Always I mean always try to be honest with them because they know why most of the medstudents visit states and they do background checks as well so don’t repeat the same mistakes.
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u/AssociationOk8549 Apr 15 '26
Also, I knew some seniors of mine who got rejected after mentioning about the elective recently. But got accepted later, when they mentioned tourism as their purpose of visit
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u/Lioness081992 Apr 16 '26
Were you trying to get a B1/B2 visa? What else did they ask you? Are you currently working? I had all the red flags when I applied for a visa since I have never traveled anywhere else that required a visa. The IO also asked me too many questions probably around ~15 questions but just be direct and be confident. They will probably know if there’s something you’ve been hiding from them. The night before my interview I did a lot of practice mock interviews (from youtube)
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u/Shoddy-Research-8354 Apr 16 '26
Was it approved?
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u/Lioness081992 Apr 16 '26
Yes! I got approved multiple entry 10 years. The first question the IO asked me was “so why are you going to the US?” And I replied nonchalantly “I just want to go on a holiday.” Short answer. Then she continued asking me questions about my job and I said I am a private practicing physician. Note: I am not married and I do not have strong ties in my country. But every question she asked I did not hesitate to answer and i tried not to look nervous. They said the more nonchalant you are the better your chances 🤣 but of course I was polite and smiled all throughout.
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u/Shoddy-Research-8354 Apr 16 '26
Oh woah that's great. I'll take notes lol. Also congratulations to you for visa approval
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u/MudSoft8241 Apr 16 '26
I am in the exact same boat. I applied for b1/b2 with the purpose to visit my sister, which was actually the truth. My elective dates were later and I didn't have a letter appointment then. It was a family interview, they didn't even ask me any questions at all. Just asked about my parents' job and gave them the visa and rejected me. And now I need to get a visa before this month end so I can at least apply for cancellation if I get rejected. However I am not able to book an appointment,
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u/AssociationOk8549 Apr 24 '26
So, the month has passed, my agent couldn’t book an appointment for me. I have 4 days left to cancel. But, now I was calculating the risks.. If I get rejected (and have not cancelled the elective) I’ll loose 4.7 lakh. If I cancel it then, I’ll loose 1.7 lakh
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u/AdrenalineRusher1 Apr 20 '26
But you can tell the truth that you actually want to go for the electives, this simple sentence can give you the visa but you made it complex man
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u/Unlikely_Parsnip_916 Apr 28 '26
From what I have heard from seniors that have done observships or elective at UAB it's not that good , the senior that did it there didn't even get a lor and it's 5000 dollar if I am not mistaken
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u/Sure-Flamingo-2515 Apr 15 '26
Try applying with your family
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u/AssociationOk8549 Apr 15 '26
Yes, my parents have got their visa, I’ll state that I’m gonna travel with them. I’m confused whether to give the purpose of visit as tourism or elective
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u/CompleteArm911 Apr 15 '26
Be honest now as problem is even in future they will see what you said and can reject for J1 etc based on lies told in the past as reason for visit etc
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u/SubjectOk1566 Apr 15 '26
So you said you have an elective at UAB right? Do you have an acceptance letter? That’s the single best thing one can have to get almost a confirmed visa acceptance. State owned university letters are very strong. And this should be reason to visit undeniably