I haven’t been(un)fortunate to have made multiple rounds of the consulate unlike some members here. So don’t have much experience to share. Though I got the visa stamped twice, here. Never got interviewed by them. My applications both times got processed through the - then available -drop-box. The closest I got to was the window where they collect the DDs, to be told to use the Drop-Box instead!( miscommunication by the infamous TT Services).
SUPPLY Vs DEMAND
Contrary to popular belief, US Visas are limited in number. Even Travel business visa. For the skeptics, I would refer statements by Consul General about increasing the available Travel Visas [ after successful nuclear treaty negotiations]. There is a Target number of visas to be provided in a year. Once the target is met, applicants start getting rejected. Unfortunately the number of available travel/business visas is never made public as the matter is an internal Consulate process and determined by the Consul General. These numbers are used to control how many people enter US in a year [ they keep the number fixed ]
The staff have to work within the numbers given to him/her as the target. The same person who appears generous when the numbers are with him/her will appear rude, when the numbers run out and rejections kick-in.
Of course numbers aren’t the only reason for rejection. Incomplete and/or insufficient documentation, suspicion of fraud, religion+ travel to certain countries [ muslim+ visit to middle-eastern counries especially Saudi ] can be the cause of rejections.
Non-Immigrant Intent
Lot of Visas get rejected based on’Failure to show Non-Immigrant Intent’. Some may be due to numbers, others due to insufficient proof. Visa interview is the same as appearing in a court of law. Burden of proof lies on the applicant.
H1Bs donot need to show Non-Immigrant intent as H1B is the only dual-intent visa. Others need to show they receive good salaries, own property/houses, have stong family ties father/mother/son/daughter with photos. It helps to show people are dependent on you in India and your’Not Returning’ will hurt them.
Invitation Letter is important for both Business and Visitors. For visitors getting Bank statements, W2s, Tax returns from the sponsor is extremely essential to prove the sponsor can take care of them. Getting Affidavit of Support(I-134) from sponsor helps. For Biz visitors make sure the Letter isn’t prepared by your HR manager(and/or signed by him!). The officers can make out the difference in Indian and American English and letter writing styles! They also call-up and cross verify with the sponsor at times.
Show good proof. Again, the judge may not buy it [ they never reveal the reason as it’s procedural. could be the damn numbers]
The Company You Keep
For H1Bs and L1s Companies sponsoring him/her and the processes they followed are very important.
If applied through a small, unknown, and newer company - chances of rejection are higher. Ditto for companies black-listed for past Visa malpractices. Even B1s applied through such companies tend to get rejected. Companies also get blacklisted if any past applicant may have attempted fraud [ it’s not necessary that company itself did something bad]. Unfortunately those who are sent later pay the price [ increased scrutiny/rejection ]
So it’s just not you. There can be other reasons for rejection beyond your control. What you can do is make sure the Company/Agent hasn’t messed up your case by gross negligence [ they do it many times]. Closely scrutinize everything before rushing off to Chennai. If you find any mistakes and things you suspect can result in rejection get them corrected before the trip.
It’s Not You, Dammit
Like I mentioned earlier, rejection can happen due to lots of factors, not all of them under your control. You can either feel dejected, call them "Racists", arrogant, and build negative energy which will ONLY affect you [ and not them]. Or you can move on with life. Even reapply later, if you have a good offer. If you don’t, it’s your life that gets affected and not theirs.
The long serpentine queue etc. are part of life. Ever visited a Government Office? Or tried to get your kids into a reputed school in Bangalore? People sleep on schoolgrounds to get their kids admitted to schools. Why do we expect the consulate of a Foreign country to treat us like VIPs - When our own Government treats us no better than Sh*t? We get rejected for Visas even by countries like Phillipines, because our Government lacks the balls to demand respect for us from foreign governments? [ non-priority for them]
It’s all supply v/s demand. Very few Visas, Large Number of applicants. Like someone said’Everyone hates United States, Yet they also want to come and live here’. Reason is obvious. Exchange Rates, the quality of Life, the way Indian Government treats it’s citizens, endless casteist Reservations etc. If things begin to improve in India [ for starters abolition of Reservations] demand will reduce and people will get treated better [ no need to stand in hours long queues, hours long interview wait etc.]
Time to forget the Kennedy BS and ask the right question -’What’s the goddamn government - supposed to be our servant but acting like a master - doing for us?’.
It’s Not the End of the World
If you have it in you, you’ll succeed. With or without USA. Believe in your capabilities. They’re your soldiers. Let me repeat, like Tupac Shakur said -’Wars come and go, my soldiers are eternal’