A widely shared Reddit post has reignited conversation about the unpredictability of U.S. visa interviews, with many users suggesting that decisions sometimes come down to more than just paperwork or answers—sometimes it’s the mood or demeanor of the visa officer that ends up making the biggest difference.
The original post described an applicant’s personal experience from 2022, highlighting two drastically different encounters. At the first interview, despite being fully prepared, the applicant faced what they described as a harsh and unfriendly officer. What started as standard questions quickly shifted into what felt like an interrogation. From the very beginning, they had a sense that rejection was inevitable.
In contrast, the second interview—this time in a different city—felt almost casual. The officer joked about the applicant’s last name, mistakenly assuming it was Irish. When corrected, they laughed together. Just two basic questions followed, and the visa was approved without issue.
This story resonated with many others, who jumped into the discussion with similar anecdotes. One user pointed out how much luck and subjective impression seem to matter, even with non-student visas. They shared a comparison between two applicants: one, a young person with little money and no job, got approved for a tourist visa, while another—older, employed in government, with a solid financial profile—was denied, only to be approved later under identical conditions.
Others shared experiences where their perceived “vibes” during the interview seemed more influential than their qualifications. Some recounted how their visa was approved with minimal questioning, while others were denied despite bringing a full set of supporting documents. A few noted that factors such as having attended the same university as the visa officer seemed to make a subtle but decisive difference.
Several commenters likened the process to broader systems in the U.S., such as job interviews, where subjectivity and bias can sometimes outweigh credentials. One person described their interview as being so brief and impersonal that they were convinced it was all luck—they didn’t speak much English, weren’t asked for documents, and still walked away with a visa.
Some believe there are quiet, unspoken signals that influence outcomes—travel history, financial background, or the general profile of the applicant. In their view, certain indicators might tip the balance before the conversation even begins, regardless of what is said during the interview.
The overall sentiment in the thread suggested that while preparation is still crucial, applicants often find themselves at the mercy of variables they can’t control—making the process feel inconsistent, and at times, random.
