Experiencing the U.S. Visa Interview in Guangzhou: A Personal Tale

Traveling to the USA is an exciting prospect, whether for business or pleasure. My recent trip with my boyfriend to Guangzhou for our U.S. visa applications turned out to be quite the experience! Here’s a detailed account of our journey through the visa interview process together. 🌍✈️

Our Appointment Times

We both had our interviews scheduled on the same day—mine was for a business visa at 9 AM, while my boyfriend’s was for a tourist visa at 9:30 AM. Little did we know that this would be a morning to remember! ⏰

My Interview Experience

When my turn came, I approached the 24th window, where a friendly Black woman was stationed. The two applicants before me received their visas, leading me to feel hopeful about my own chances. However, my interview lasted just about two minutes and involved three key questions:

1. Why are you going to the United States? I responded, “I am going to attend a business conference,” prompting her to switch to English for the next questions.
2. What is your position? I explained, “I’m a marketing specialist, responsible for…”
3. Can you provide an invitation letter? After a quick glance, she asked if I had any prior business travel experience. I admitted I had none but mentioned my travel to several Southeast Asian countries and my studies in South Korea.

After a moment of typing, she unexpectedly said, “I’m sorry, I can’t approve your application.” 😢 I was left bewildered, thinking perhaps my lack of business trip experience had influenced her decision.

My Boyfriend’s Interview

My boyfriend, a product manager at an intelligent hardware company, faced his own set of challenges during his interview. He approached the 17th window, where a bearded Caucasian man was interviewing. Like mine, his interview was brief and included three questions:

1. What’s your purpose for going to the U.S.? He answered, “Tourism; I plan to drive across the western part of the country.”
2. Are you traveling alone? He confirmed he would be alone.
3. How long have you worked at your company? He replied, “I’ve been with this company for two and a half years and have five years of total experience in Shenzhen.”

After those brief questions, he was also greeted with the disappointing news: “I’m sorry, I can’t approve your application.” 😔

Reflections and Next Steps

While waiting for my boyfriend outside, I felt a wave of disappointment wash over me after my own rejection. However, when I learned he had also been denied, I couldn’t help but chuckle a bit at the situation—misery loves company, right? 🤷‍♀️🤣

We’re left wondering what went wrong and if we can schedule another appointment soon. Is it possible to reapply immediately? Understanding the reasons behind our rejections could help us prepare better next time. Any insights or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! 🙏

Conclusion

Our experience has been a roller coaster of emotions filled with anticipation, disappointment, and a fair share of learning. Navigating the U.S. visa application process can be unpredictable, but we remain hopeful for a second chance. If you’ve had similar experiences or tips for reapplying after a denial, please share! Your advice could help others facing the same challenges. #USVisa #GuangzhouInterview #VisaRejection #Reapply #TravelTogether