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Arriving at the Mumbai consulate with a 221G flag
When I arrived at the consulate, the waiting area was divided. Applicants with a 221G were asked to sit separately and were then directed to a specific counter — counter 23 — where we submitted our passports, the I-20, and in my case, my husband's passport as well. The documents were taken inside, and the passports were returned later with a slip stapled to them. My slip said: interview only, at counter 34.
Dealing with anxiety before you even reach the window
Two people who went to counter 34 just before me told me that the officer there was known for rejecting a lot of cases. Both interviews immediately ahead of mine ended in rejections. The officer was a male in his 40s or 50s, and I will not pretend that none of this affected me — I was anxious. What helped was a conscious decision not to let the rumours about that counter change how I presented myself. If you find yourself in a similar situation, do your best to set aside what other applicants say about a particular officer. You cannot control who interviews you, but you can control how prepared and calm you appear.
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Book a Mock InterviewThe interview itself — how it actually went
My entire interview lasted two to three minutes, and the officer asked very few questions. I had my marriage certificate ready in hand, along with my passport and a large folder of supporting documents that was visible through the window. Here is the full exchange as it happened:
Good morning, sir. — Good morning. Please pass me your passport. I handed over my passport, which already had the I-20 inserted into it from counter 23. He then asked: Does your husband get a stipend? Yes, sir. How much is it monthly? I gave the amount. Does he have a rented apartment? Yes, he has a rented apartment. Then there was a long, silent pause while he typed on his computer. That silence was the most nerve-wracking part — I had no idea what was happening. And then: Congratulations, your visa is approved. You will receive your passport in a week.
What this experience tells you about F2 interview preparation
The three questions the officer asked were all about my husband's financial situation — his stipend amount and his housing arrangement. If you are preparing for an F2 interview, make sure you know your spouse's exact monthly stipend or income figure, and be clear about their housing situation. Have your marriage certificate physically in hand at the window, not buried in a folder. Keep the I-20 accessible so it can be inserted into your passport at the first counter if the consulate asks for it. And prepare yourself mentally for a silence at the window while the officer reviews your file on screen — it does not mean something is wrong.
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